Sometimes children wake up many times at night, bringing their parents upset that they have to get up every two or three and do not know if something else is going on. It is normal? Will they have a problem? Well, calm down, this is something normal that happens to many children. Let's see what are nocturnal awakenings in children and some tips to reduce them.
Sleep at times
With young children it is more normal than it seems, both for very young babies and for older children, who wake up once or several times at night. Some children are able to go back to sleep on their own, but others are not able and they cry and call their parents. This situation can lead to distressing parents who do not know if it is normal, if there is a problem or if there is something they can do to get their children to sleep through the night. Saying goodbye to a jerk dream like before is frustrating, especially if we don't know what is happening to our son.
In order to understand what is happening and put ourselves in their shoes, we have to know why do night awakenings happen. So we can also follow some tips so that they can have a more restful sleep, so necessary for their proper development.
What are nocturnal awakenings in children?
Nighttime awakenings is a very common sleep disorder in children. 25% of children have it, who find it difficult to start or maintain sleep without the presence of their parents. This in turn is accompanied by symptoms such as drowsiness and lack of concentration during the day due to not sleeping properly. It usually disappears only around 3-4 years.
Children need to sleep a lot of hours according to their age for their correct cognitive development. If you do not know if your child sleeps the necessary hours you can read the article "How long do children have to sleep?". There you will find a table of hours of sleep according to the age of the children.
Why do children have nighttime awakenings?
Children's sleep is divided into cycles, which are usually between 5 and 7 each night. Adults go from one phase to another without realizing it, but adults children are more likely to wake up between cycles. Some children go back to sleep on their own but others will claim their parents in order to get it. Everything will depend on the child and how he is used to sleeping.
If you are associated with falling asleep with your parents and you wake up and they are not there, you will call them to calm down and go back to sleep. Parents wake up trying to comfort their children and go back to sleep. And what this causes is to keep awakenings to reinforce behavior they need to sleep. Children they need to recreate the same conditions as when they fell asleep to give them security.
How can I reduce my child's nighttime awakenings?
- Have a sleep routine. This is usually a bath, story or song in dim light, saying good night to them, putting them in their bed / crib and leaving the room. May it always be at the same hour to create a habit. Ideally, he can sleep alone without your presence, you can leave the door ajar. If it is necessary to be aware of any illness, we will do it in silence and without turning on the light. If you are afraid you can leave a dim light.
- Control naps. In order for them to get a good night's sleep, it is important that they do not sleep too much during the day. Otherwise they will arrive too awake at night and it will be difficult for them to fall asleep.
- What to do if you cry at night. You don't have to run. Children make noises and whimpers in their sleep, and you may not be awake. Wait a few moments until you verify that you are indeed awake, but not too long.
- If you sleep with a pacifier, leave several nearby for him to look for when he wakes up. If he had a light on to sleep, leave it on. So the conditions will be the same as when he fell asleep.
- Give him a doll to give him security. Children usually have a special doll that they carry everywhere. It gives them security to have it and helps them to initiate the dream. Keep it close by in case he wakes up.
Because remember ... you have to be patient during this stage.