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Dog tired and yet wide awake What to do if little children do not want to sleep
The nocturnal recovery of parents is often interrupted by their young offspring several times. Not only do babies want to be fed, they also often sleep badly. Sleep problems in small children are actually normal, but in some cases the help of experts is needed.
Sleep problems of babies keep parents awake
Parents have until recently recently got offspring, you can often see this on dark circles and constant yawning. Many mothers and fathers find too little rest at night because the baby has sleep problems. How long the little ones should sleep, depends essentially on the age. Sleep problems are usually normal in small babies. In some cases, sleeping disorders are also a reason to see a pediatrician or psychologist. Experts have important information on the subject, including what can help you fall asleep.
Dog tired and still do not want to sleep ... Image: altanaka - Fotolia Sleep needs depend on age
"Sleep is a sealed book for many parents," said Dana Urban of the Federal Conference on Educational Advice to the news agency dpa. Parents are often insecure and have no precise idea of how much sleep their child actually needs. The need for sleep is basically dependent on the age. While newborns need about 16 to 18 hours of sleep, and one-year-olds between 12 and 15 hours, four or more years are enough for about twelve hours. However, this information is only a rough guide. Every child sleeps differently and differently. Especially parents with infants who sleep little feel this as a major burden and are quickly confused and ask themselves questions, such as whether to make the baby scream, so that it learns to sleep through.
Physical causes must be excluded
However, sleep problems in babies are often quite normal. According to dpa's Torsten Spranger of the Association of Paediatricians, newborns usually have not yet learned how to sleep well and calm themselves when they wake up at night. But if there are other complaints, parents should ask the pediatrician for advice. For example, a respiratory disease can be the reason for a baby or toddler breathing heavily. Even digestive problems can keep the little ones awake at night. And even in kindergarten and elementary school age, organic causes should be excluded for sleep problems.
Simple changes in everyday life
Parents should try it first with simple changes in everyday life, if a child does not want to fall asleep. The offspring should be active during the day to be busy. Some experts believe that nocturnal sleep disturbances can be promoted by nap and therefore not all children need one. In the evening, parents should pay attention to regularity at bedtime. In order not to disturb the sleep-wake cycle, it is best to put the child to bed at about the same time each night. "Many children use rituals to calm down in the evening," Urban said. For example, you can announce your early bedtime by reading a story every evening, brushing something or taking your time to cuddle after brushing your teeth. "It's not about ticking off a whole package of rituals, but finding something for yourself and the child that is both fun and persistent," said the expert.
Help with nightmares
When a child wakes up at night for nightmares, it is important to calm it down. "If you are afraid of monsters under the bed, you should take it seriously," explained Urban. One way to ward off the fear could be to sew a cuddly monster with the child or make a dream catcher. Experts of the German Child Protection Association (DKSB) have recently pointed out that parents can help, but it is better to let children find solutions to nightmares themselves. Suggestions from the little ones who could help them to deal with the anxiety should be taken seriously. It is also important that children do not go to bed in quarrels with their parents. "Even if there was a conflict during the day, it's important to show the child: We love you and we'll fix it tomorrow," Urban pointed out. Child psychologist Holger Simonszent explained that helping older children to get rid of thoughts and worries in the evening in a diary. This also because often a special event such as a change of school or an upcoming school trip is enough to keep children from sleeping.
Tackle problems together with experts
He pointed out, however, that the causes are not always so trivial. Sleep disorders in children are often caused by emotional stress. For example, strife in the family, pressure to perform, or a parent's illness can be grounds for emotional stress. "Treating only the symptom of insomnia but not the cause does not help the child," says Simonszent. If a mental stress is the trigger for the sleep disorder, parents should work together with a child psychologist. The experts have various options available. A few years ago, psychologists at the University of Würzburg developed a special sleep training program that can help children with sleep disorders. Since a child is all the more at rest, the more relaxed parents deal with the sleep problem of the offspring, the adults should speak openly when they are overburdened. "Often it is the mothers who are exhausted at some point," said Spranger. Only those who openly say that they can not do more can be helped. To calm a child and support sleep, parents need strength and sleep themselves. (Ad)