Reasons for Insomnia in Children
Most adults have an issue with insomnia at one time or another. The reason for the sleep disturbance can be as simple as something you ate or drank that day, or as complex as a life event that is causing you undue stress and anxiety. Children can also suffer from insomnia from time to time, and many of the reasons for insomnia in children can be similar to those that adults face. The good news is that once you pinpoint the reason behind the insomnia, you will probably be able to encourage good sleep habits once again. The bad news is that this can be much more complicated than it sounds. Your best bet is to spend time talking to your child, to try to determine the reason for his sleepless nights. It also helps to know the common reasons for insomnia in children, so that you have an idea of what to look for.
Physical Reasons
There are many physical reasons for insomnia in children. For example, a child may suffer from an upset stomach at night that can keep him awake. He may also experience growing pains that can become painful enough to interfere with sleep. Treating these physical reasons for insomnia in children can also take care of the sleep disorder itself. Your child may also be getting stimulated from substances that he is eating or drinking before bed. Make sure that you are keeping caffeinated products like soda and chocolate out of your child's diet from about the middle of the afternoon on, to ensure that the ingredients in these foods do not keep your child up at night. Keep in mind that some medications, like decongestants and pain medicines can also stimulate your child so he will have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night.
Emotional Reasons
Like adults, one of the biggest factors in insomnia in children is stress. Your child may be having a rough time at school or difficulty in adjusting to a life change like a move. The best way to help your child through these situations is by talking to him about his feelings toward the event or issue. For more serious problems, you may need to enlist the help of a professional to counsel your child through a particularly challenging time. You can also assist your child in overcoming his insomnia by keeping a regular sleep schedule and establishing a consistent nighttime routine that will help to prepare his body for the slumber that lies ahead. In most of these cases in insomnia in children, a little extra TLC and a lot of consistency may help to keep the problem at bay.
Sleep deprivation in children can lead to poor performance in school and increased incidences of illness. If your child is suffering from insomnia, it is important to unearth the reason for the sleep disturbance as soon as possible so that you can get your child back on the road to restful nights as soon as possible.
