Have you ever considered getting a long peaceful sleep after being new parents? This is something all parents are going through at a certain stage. Sleep is important for both your child and you. But many parents don’t have it because of their child.
All parents want their child to sleep well. Sleep is sometimes a concerning issue for parents. As kids are getting older, they don’t get enough sleep. Lack of sleep in a child can cause many different problems. From mood swings to paying attention, it can also lead to various health issues.
Do children find bedtime difficult?
After the newborn period of a child, most of the kids find bedtime challenging because of separation anxiety. This problem mainly starts after 8 months. At this age, children have gone through anxiety issues, as if they do not see something they think is actually gone.
This phenomenon occurs when a parent puts their child to sleep, and they go to sleep in another room. Most of the time, children started to cry until their parents came. Separation anxiety causes a lack of sleep in children. But over time when you follow a certain bedtime routine regularly then this issue will disappear.
Sleep time for children of different age groups
According to research, there are different stages of child age where they need different amounts of sleep. In the following, I talk about all the stages of sleep for children of various age groups.
Newborns
Newborns from 0 to 3 months sleep for 16–17 hours every day. They go to sleep for anywhere from one to three hours, then they wake up for 1 or 2 hours maximum, then sleep again.
Infants
Infants sleep between 12 hours to 14 hours, at the age of 4 to 11 months.
Toddlers
Toddlers of 1 to 2 years of age sleep anywhere from 11 hours to 14 hours.
Preschooler
Preschoolers of 3 to 5 years of age sleep between 10 and 13 hours.
School-aged child
From 6 to 13 years of age, school-age children sleep around 9 to 12 hours.
Teens
Among teenagers between 14 and 17 years of age, sleep time is between 8 and 10 hours.
So as you can see, as the kids grow up, their sleep cycle gets less with age. Every child is different, so the above sleep time is average, and it can vary from one child to another.
The impact of insufficient sleep on children
For newborns from the age of 0 to 3 months, I highly recommend parents sleep together. Based on scientific studies, newborns needing to sleep with their parents can decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Also, it gives the child security and peaceful sleep through the night.
After the newborn stage, if a child does not get enough sleep for a long time, they can go through problems like mood swings, irritations, anxiety, becoming cranky, hyperactive, falling asleep anytime, behavioural problems and a lack of concentration. Also, they can have serious health issues because of a lack of sleep.
Tips to help your child sleep through the night
Here, I talk about some tips to help your child get a good sleep through the night,
Ferber Method
One of the most effective and scientific methods recommended by child physicians is the Ferber Method. This method states that parents need to let their baby cry before sleep, and the period is gradually increasing initially. Later, the child falls asleep on their own. Parents need to increase the waiting period by one minute every night. Consider taking a minute to assure them that you are present there so they do not feel insecure.
Initially, you can feel distressed when you hear your children crying, but trust the process; it takes one or two weeks maximum but will give a good result at last.
A consistent bedtime routine
Another key to success is consistency. Children are dependent on everything, so if you teach them a regular bedtime routine from the beginning, they will become accustomed to it. Make a proper bedtime routine and stick to it regularly. Encourage them to follow the routine. Give them 30 minutes for a head-up before bed. The bedtime routine also consists of brushing teeth, reading, or listening.
Give their favourite stuffed animal
Sometimes small things have a great impact; the same goes for this. To prevent your kids from having nightmares or suddenly waking up at night, you can give their favourite plush toy to them at night. It works as a security object, which not only helps to relax the child but also gives comfort.
As a parent, you can be looking for many different solutions to fix your child’s sleep problem, but here a small stuffed animal can make a lot of difference. After the first year of age, babies are fond of many things, especially when they have their favourite toy. And if the toy is a stuffed toy, then you can give them when they are sleeping. It gives them a feeling of security, comfort, and good sleep through the night. Sudden wakes up at night can be caused by different things, like nightmares or feeling afraid to sleep alone. But when their favourite toy sleeps with them, it gives them a feeling of attachment and makes them feel secure at night.
Refrain from using screens before bed
Nowadays, screens are the main thing that prevents children from getting a good sleep. So you need to be very careful about that. Turn off all the screens, including the TV, computer, phone, video games, and tablets. Make sure that there are no screen devices there in your kid’s room.
A safe sleep environment
A good sleep starts with a safe environment. A safe environment means you need to check on and keep an eye on your kids. Make sure to give them enough time before bed. So they can feel relaxed and safe. Talk with them, about how much you love them and give them a goodnight kiss. This can make them feel calm and comfort them.
Check noise and light deduction before sleeping
Before your child goes to sleep, make sure there is no loud noise around the room, and if there is something then get rid of it. If the room is too dark, then you may wish to use a dim night lamp to reduce the darkness. So your child can sleep peacefully throughout the night.
Eat at the right time and the proper amount of food at night
Many times it happens that children are not eating properly, and then they wake up frequently due to hunger. So you need to be very careful about their appetite, and give and feed them the proper amount of food at dinner. So their sleep is not disturbed.
Lastly, children get fussy as they get older, but as a parent, you have to take responsibility so they can get the right amount of sleep. Try to be consistent and follow the tips, and you will get your results. But remember, each child is different, you need to trust the process and be patient is the main thing to achieve the goal.