An enormous amount of research has been conducted on sleep in children. The most common sleep disorders in childhood are insomnia and nightmares. Primary care providers typically address sleep issues in infants and toddlers. However, adequate screening for children older than preschool age isn't the norm. Therefore, sleep disorders in elementary age children get overlooked, which results in sleepy students<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kids that miss out on sleep are at a higher risk for behavioral problems such as aggression, moodiness, increased risk of vehicle crashes, and health problems such as obesity. A study at Michigan State University concluded that portion sizes increased after insufficient sleep<\/a> and that these larger portions put those participants at an increased risk for obesity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the flip side, children who sleep more eat and weigh less according to this study<\/a>. Children who slept more consumed, on average, 134 calories less and had lower fasting morning leptin values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Babies wake up throughout the night because of a shift in brain waves, as babies transition from one stage of sleep to another, they often wake. After waking, babies may feel hungry and cry out. Other times a baby may want comfort because they have learned to fall back to sleep on their own. Older babies may wake due to teething.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Toddlers and younger children may have trouble falling asleep due to fear and worries. At this age, children may experience difficulty falling asleep when they are afraid of the dark or being alone. When children have nightmares, it can also hinder their ability to fall asleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Encouraging your child to talk about or draw a picture of the nightmare can help to get it out of their system. Reading a calm and peaceful book before bed might help your child to fall asleep faster and sleep better. Avoid scary tv shows and movies (even if your child says they are not scared<\/em>) because it can cause more bad dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Children (and teens) who miss out on sleep regularly<\/a> may begin to focus on negative events. As parents, we have a heavy responsibility to prioritize sleep for our children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teens and Preteens may have a disruption in their sleep patterns<\/a> when they hit puberty. The internet, TV, video games, and social media<\/a> also play a role in decreased sleep time among teens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stress and worry can also keep adolescents awake. Exams, peer pressure, and other factors can affect stress levels in kids. Parents can help address these worries with children to improve sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sedentary kids who experience sleep problems may benefit from adding at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. Participating in martial arts<\/a>, sports, and simple outdoor play can help children get better sleep. People sleep significantly better and feel more alert during the day if they get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week, a new study concludes. Children who have difficulty will benefit from sufficient physical activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, consistently getting sufficient sleep is associated with improved health, such as improvement in the following areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nine out of ten teenagers aren't getting enough sleep. During the teen years, sleep loss occurs due to later bedtimes, while wake times remained the same. In one survey, adolescents reported increased daytime sleepiness<\/a>, depressive mood, and sleep\/wake behavior problems, which impacted grades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most teens can learn to practice good sleep hygiene habits; however, many still sacrifice precious hours of shut-eye. Here is an article for teens<\/a> who are willing and ready to implement some healthy sleep habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow a consistent bedtime and wake time routine<\/a>. Kids who have later or inconsistent bedtimes often don't eat breakfast and can experience blood sugar imbalances that lead to irritability later in the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caffeine isn't a great idea for kids, but if your child does consume caffeine, try to limit it after lunchtime, assuming lunch happens somewhere around noon, that is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Children with smartphones and other devices will not benefit from using them at night. Limit screentime<\/a> in the hours before bedtime. Children who slept near a small screen (compared with never) reported 20.6 fewer minutes of sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In an ideal world bedrooms would not contain screens<\/strong>, however, I know that is unlikely in society today, so at the very least, try to involve them in an activity before bedtime that does not require screentime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Skip watching television right before bed<\/strong> – This is a hard one for many of us. However, according to experts, watching tv right before bed may have more negative effects than we realize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some children may benefit from writing in a journal<\/strong> or making their own to-do list before they go to bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Calming stories on audio have been a go-to in our family for many years. We use the library app Overdrive as well as Audible to listen to audio books<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Essential Oils for sleep include lavender, Valerian, Sweet Marjoram, Roman Chamomile, bergamot, and Clary Sage. Our favorite essential Oil blend for sleep is Aura Cacia's Pillow Potion<\/a>. It is widely available at health food stores, and Amazon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don't have a diffuser there are other ways to reap the benefits of these oils. Try putting a few drops on a wool dryer ball and tossing in the dryer with the sheets. Make a spray to spritz into the air just before bedtime. Alternatively, you can add a drop to a carrier oil and apply it topically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always use caution when using essential oil on children as they are potent. Babies have skin that is many times more sensitive than adults, therefore are not recommended on infants. Some essential oils, such as wintergreen, should never be used with children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unrecognized anxiety<\/a> could be causing difficulty falling asleep. Prayers<\/a> and select verses about God's protection are a powerful way to calm your child and help them sleep more peacefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Magnesium may work for some, but because too much can lead to diarrhea, magnesium oil, or lotion is preferable. For those who enjoy do-it-yourself projects, consider making a magnesium body butter<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Kids](\"https:\/\/www.thatorganicmom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/understanding-and-treating-childhood-insomnia-and-other-sleep-problems-2.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nRisks involved with missing out on sleep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For younger children, here are some tips:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Download the 30 Days of Tips for Better Sleep<\/h2>\n\n\n\n