Establishing Good Sleeping Patterns
All children are different in many ways, but they all need to posses consistent sleeping patterns. Establishing a routine is extremely important because it gives them a good sense of a routine and what to expect next.
How much sleep a person needs is directly proportionate to their age. There are exceptions to every rule and this one is no different. Some children can get by on less sleep than others, but for the most part, it stays consistent. According to The National Sleep Foundation, by the age of two, most children have spent more time asleep than awake, and overall, a child will spend 40% of their childhood asleep. Sleep is especially important to children because it directly impacts physical and mental development.
Sleep and Newborns
For newborns, sleep during the early months occurs around the clock and the sleep-wake cycle interacts with the need to be fed, changed, and nurtured. Newborns sleep for a total of 10.5-18 hours a day on an irregular schedule with periods of one to three hours spent awake. Newborns express their need to sleep in different ways. Some fuss, cry, rub their eyes, or indicate this need with individual gestures. It is best to put babies to sleep when they are sleepy, but not asleep. This way, they are more likely to fall asleep quickly and eventually learn how to get themselves to sleep. Here are some great sleeping tips for newborns:
- Observe baby's sleep patterns and learn signs of sleepiness
- Put baby in the crib when drowsy, not asleep.
- Place your baby on their back to sleep
- Encourage nighttime sleep
Sleep and Toddlers
Toddlers need about 12-14 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period. When they reach about 18 months of age, their nap times will decrease to once per day lasting about one to three hours. Nap times should not occur too close to bed time as they may delay sleep at night. Many factors can lead to sleep problems. Toddler's drive for independence and an increase in their motor, cognitive, and social abilities can interfere with sleep. In addition, their ability to get out of bed, separation anxiety, the need for autonomy, and the development of the child's imagination can lead to sleep problems. Some sleeping tips for toddlers include:
- Maintain a daily sleep schedule and consistent bedtime routine.
- Make the bedroom environment the same at night and throughout the night.
- Set limits that are consistent, communicated, and enforced.
- Encourage the use of a security object, such as a blanket or a stuffed animal.
Sleep and Preschoolers
Preschoolers typically sleep for 11-13 hours a night, and most do not nap after 5 years of age. Difficulty falling asleep and waking up in the middle of the night are common. With further development of imagination, preschoolers commonly experience nighttime fears and nightmares. In addition, sleepwalking and sleep terrors peak during preschool years. Some sleeping tips for preschoolers include:
- Maintain a regular and consistent sleep schedule
- Have a relaxing bedtime routine that ends in the room where the child sleeps
- Child should sleep in the same sleeping environment every night, in a room that is quiet, cool and dark-and without a T.V.
For more information on this topic, please visit http://www.sleepforkids.org/html/habits.html
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