You might have thought that sleepless nights were only an issue for new parents who have a child that is under one-year old in the house. It’s true that you probably won’t get a full night’s sleep with a newborn baby, but there is also a chance that your child will continue with their poor sleeping habits well into childhood.
However, if your child used to sleep well through the night but then starts to struggle falling asleep or begins to wake up through the night, then you might wonder where you have been going wrong. If this seems to be a new phase of behavior, you will be glad to hear that there could be one main reason why this has started happening. It could be one of the following.
They Are Scared
As children start to get older, they become a lot more aware of stories and could develop some fears as a result. There are quite a few childhood fears that could affect their sleep, such as being scared of the dark or monsters. The best solution to this is to place a nightlight in their room. This can keep the room illuminated which can help to comfort them while they fall asleep. It could also be worth giving them a teddy bear to sleep with so that they have a bedmate to keep them company.
They’re Hungry
It’s a good idea to offer your child a small snack before bedtime. That should keep them sated throughout the night. If they go to bed hungry, they could find it difficult to fall asleep. If they do manage to get to sleep, they will only wake up throughout the night feeling very hungry. So, make sure they have a healthy snack, such as a piece of fruit or peanut butter on toast, before they head to bed.
Their Bed Isn’t Very Comfortable
If you haven’t replaced your child’s mattress since they started sleeping in their grown-up bed, then it could be worth thinking of doing so. Their old one might have developed a few lumps and it could be very bumpy, which won’t be comfortable at all. Take a look at this website for an idea of the best mattresses on sale right now. You should also make sure that their pillows are regularly replaced as old ones could cause neck and back pains.
They Aren’t Tired Enough
Are you sure your child is tired enough to go to bed in the first place? If they haven’t done much through the day other than sit in front of the TV or play on a games console, then they might not be physically tired. So, it’s important to make sure that they are active for part of the day and get plenty of exercise that can help to tire them out ready for bedtime!
Hopefully, your child isn’t sleeping because of one of the reasons above. At least you now know what to do about it from now on!
