Worrying about your children is part and parcel of being a parent, but sometimes we worry about the wrong things, and don’t realise where a problem might really lie. The sooner you are able to recognise the symptoms of any issues your kids might have with sleep the easier it should be to stop things getting worse. How your child sleeps affects their waking life as much as it does their bedtimes, so before you peruse bedstar beings you a brief guide on how to spot the sleep problems some children have, and those which might seem worse than they are.
Sleep walking and talking are common in kids and are sometimes signs of a bigger issue but usually not a problem, unless it causes them to wake up a lot or seem tired in the day time. The most important thing to do if your children sleep walk is make sure the house is safe for them to wander around.
Nightmares are another typical feature of children’s sleep as their imaginations become more developed and active. Whilst they can be unsettling, occasional nightmares are natural and generally not a sign of a sleep problem.
Things to look out for:
Consistent sleep pattern
Does your child stick to a set bedtime and fall asleep around the same time most nights?
How much sleep do they need and how much do they actually get?
Does he or she wake up very early sometimes and late other times?
Bedtimes
Does your child find it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep at bedtime?
Daytime sleepiness
Does your child get sleepy during the day or need to take a lot of naps?
Is falling asleep at school a problem?
Is it difficult to get them up in the mornings?
Are they hyperactive or moody (classic signs of being tired)?
Snoring
Does your child often snore loudly?
Do they ever choke or stop breathing for a moment whilst asleep?
Night awakenings
Does your child wake up a lot in the night?
Do they struggle to get back to sleep when they wake up?
If your child has trouble with any of the above on a regular basis it’s a good idea to discuss with your GP whether your child has a sleep problem that could be having a detrimental effect on their development and education. Try to create a relaxing but structured sleep routine for your children, and help them to avoid anything that will make dropping off harder, like watching TV before bed or having sugary drinks or snacks.
So once you’ve got your children into a good bedtime routine and are watching out for all the potential sleep stealers, there’s one thing left to check – and that’s their bedroom. Bedstar has a great selection of bargain kids beds for any age to help you make sure you child is comfy in bed and that you both get a good night’s sleep.
Tags: bargain kids beds, kid bed, Nightmares, sleep, snoring
