Helping Your Child Sleep Better

Is your child having trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep? Occasional sleeplessness is usually nothing to worry about, but if your child is suffering from prolonged lack of sleep, it can have harmful physical and mental effects. Your pediatrician can help.

What You Need to Know About Helping Your Child Sleep Better

Your child needs to sleep well because sleeping helps to:

Recharge your child’s body
Boost your child’s immune system
Lower your child’s risk of illness and infection
Keep your child from overeating
Manage your child’s stress, behavior, and emotions
Enhance your child’s brain health
Increase your child’s ability to concentrate and focus
Increase your child’s ability to problem solve

So, how much sleep does your child need? According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, these are the recommendations of hours of sleep needed within a 24-hour period:

Babies 4 to 12 months – 12 to 16 hours, including naps
Toddlers 12 to 24 months – 11 to 14 hours, including naps
Children 3 to 5 years – 10 to 13 hours, which may include a nap
Children 6 to 12 years – 9 to 12 hours
Children 13 to 18 years – 8 to 10 hours

To help your child sleep better, you should:

Keep televisions, computer monitors, phones, and other screens out of your child’s bedroom
Set a bedtime for your child and stick to it
Limit your child’s caffeine intake including sodas and chocolate
Limit your child’s sugar intake including candy, soda, and desserts
Avoid having your child eat a large meal before going to bed
Keep your child’s bedroom calming, as dark as possible, and as quiet as possible

Developing a ritual is also helpful to induce sleep. The ritual will signal to your child that it’s time for sleep. Reading to your child, or having your child read before bed, or take a warm bath are excellent choices for better sleep.

Want To Know More?

To find out more tips on how to help your child sleep better, talk with an expert. Call your pediatrician today.