Numerous things can interrupt a young child or toddler’s sleep and prevent them from getting a good night’s sleep. Some of the most common interruptions are the following:
- Nightmares
- Night Terrors
- Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking
- Bed Wetting
- Teeth Grinding
It can be frustrating and tiring when your child keeps you awake at night due to sleep problems, but try to be patient and understanding. Getting upset can scare your child and make the sleep problems worse. Particularly if the child is already dealing with stressful or emotional situations like a divorce, new sibling, new home, loss of a family member or some other difficult episode.
If the problem persists you may want to discuss it with your pediatrician, and if you do it is helpful to keep a sleep diary detailing the following things:
- Where your child sleeps
- How much sleep they normally get
- When they go to bed
- How long it takes for the child to fall asleep
- When you went to bed
- What time your child woke up
- How long it took your child to fall back asleep
- What you did to comfort your child
- When the child woke up in the morning
- If they took naps and for how long
- Any stressful situations in their life
Many sleep problems can be common, and typically with time and your pediatrician’s assistance your child will overcome their sleep problems.
*Above Information provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics
Helpful Resources:
- HealthChildren.org
Getting your baby to sleep - American Family Physician
Sleep Disorders and Sleep Problems in Children - Mayo Clinic
Child Sleep Tips - American Sleep Association
Sleep Problems in Children and How to Cope with them - WebMD
Sleep Problems in Children