Sleep Habits of Children

Sleep is vital for every human being of all ages. During early development it is the fundamental activity of the brain  . Circadian rhythms, or the sleep-wake cycle takes time to develop in infants. This rhythms are regulated by light and dark and it take time to cultivate, resulting in the irregular sleep schedules of newborns. The rhythms starts to build up at about six weeks, and by three to six months most infants comprise a regular sleep-wake cycle.

Nearly every kids have spent more time in sleep than in wakefulness  generally by the age of two, a child will spend 40 percent of his or her childhood asleep. Sleep is specially significant for children as it directly has influence in there mental and physical development.

There are two states of sleep:

Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) or “quiet” sleep

During the deep states of NREM sleep,  tissue growth and repair occur, and important hormones are released for growth and development, blood supply to the muscles is increased, energy is restored..

Rapid Eye Movement(REM) or “active” sleep

During REM sleep, our brains are active and dreaming takes place. Our bodies become motionless, heart rate and breathings are uneven.

Babies spend 50 percent of their time in each of these states and the sleep cycle is about 50 minutes. At about six months of age, REM sleep consist about 30 percent of sleep. when the children reach preschool age, the sleep cycle is about every 90 minutes.

Sleep and Newborns

For newborns especially 1-2 months, sleep for the duration of the early months takes place around the clock and the sleep-wake cycle interacts with the requirement to be fed, changed and nurtured. Newborns sleep a total of 10.5 to 18 hours a day on an unbalanced schedule with periods of one to three hours spent awake. The sleep period may last a few minutes to numerous hours. During sleep, they are often energetic, twitching their arms and legs, smiling, sucking and generally appearing restless.

Newborns convey their need to sleep in dissimilar behavior. Some  cry, rub their eyes or point out this need with individual gestures. It is best to put babies to bed when they are sleepy, but not asleep. They are more likely to fall asleep quickly and ultimately learn how to get themselves to sleep. They should be encouraged to sleep less during the day by exposing them to light and noise, and by playing more with them in the daytime. As evening approaches, the environment can be quieter and dimmer with less activity.

Sleep guidelines for Newborns

• Observe baby’s sleep patterns and identify signs of sleepiness.
• Put baby in the crib when drowsy, not asleep.
• Place baby to sleep on his/her back with face and head clear of blankets and other soft items.
• Encourage nighttime sleep.

Sleep and Infants (3-11 months)

Nighttime feedings are generally not required and many infants sleep through the night .By six months of age; 70-80 percent will do so by nine months of age. Infants typically sleep 9-12 hours during the night and take 30 minute to two-hour naps, one to four times a day – fewer as they reach age one.

Infants are more likely to become “self- soothers” when they are put to bed drowsy but not asleep which modify them to fall asleep alone at bedtime and put themselves back to sleep during the night. Those who have become used to parental assistance at bedtime often become “signalers” and cry for their parents to lend a hand to return to sleep during the night.

Social and developmental issues can also affect sleep. Secure infants who are attached to their caregiver may have less sleep problems, but some may also be reluctant to give up this engagement for sleep. During the second half of the year, infants may also experience separation anxiety. Illness and increased motor development may also disrupt sleep.

Sleep guidelines for Infants

• Develop regular daytime and bedtime schedules.
• Create a consistent and enjoyable bedtime routine.
• Establish a regular “sleep friendly” environment.
• Encourage baby to fall asleep independently and to become a “self-soother.”

Sleep and Toddlers (1-3 years)

Toddlers require 12-14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. As soon as they reach about 18 months of age their naptimes will decrease to once a day lasting about one to three hours. Naps should not occur too close to bedtime as they may delay sleep at night.

Loads of toddlers encounter sleep problems including resisting going to bed and nighttime awakenings. Nighttime fears and nightmares are also common.

Numerous factors can show the way to sleep problems. Toddlers’ 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. Daytime sleepiness and behavior problems may signal poor sleep or a sleep problem.

Sleep Tips For Toddlers:

• Retain a daily sleep schedule and consistent bedtime routine.
• Build the bedroom environment the same every night and throughout the night.
• Place limits that are consistent, communicated and enforced. Further use of a security object such as a blanket or stuffed animal.

Sleep and Preschoolers (3-5 years)

Preschoolers usually sleep 11-13 hours each night and most do not nap after five years of age. As with toddlers, difficulty falling asleep and waking up during 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.

Sleep guidelines for Preschoolers

• 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 cool, quiet and dark – and without a TV.

Sleep and School-aged Children (5-12 years)

Children aged five to 12 need 10-11 hours of sleep. Simultaneously, there is an growing  requirement on their time from school (e.g., homework), sports and other extracurricular and social activities. In addition, school-aged children become more interested in TV, computers, the media and Internet as well as caffeine products – all of which can lead to difficulty falling asleep, nightmares and disruptions to their sleep. Specially, watching TV close to bedtime has been associated with bedtime resistance, difficulty falling asleep, anxiety around sleep and sleeping fewer hours.

Sleep problems and disorders are prevailing at this age. Poor or deficient sleep can direct to mood swings, behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and cognitive problems that impact on their ability to learn in school.

Sleep Tips for School-aged Children

• Instruct school-aged children about healthy sleep habits.
• Carry on to give emphasis to need for regular and consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine.
• Make child’s bedroom conducive to sleep – dark, cool and quiet.
• Keep TV and computers out of the bedroom.
• Stay away from caffeine