Parents must understand the necessity of sleep of their children as a task.
Every living creature needs to rest through sleep. A baby, cat, lions in the jungle or whether its mom or dad sleep is of importance. Sleep helps you recover from a hard day’s work and energized for the next day. Besides, it helps your brain to reorganize information to help you remember better. Hence sleep is as important as food for survival and overall wellbeing. Depending on your child they may need more or less sleep. However, this is in regards to their age as babies sleep up to 15 hours while teenagers do less each night. Below are things to understand about your child’s sleep to help them sleep better.
The necessity of sleep
Firstly, as a parent, it is important that before your child lies on her tempurpedic you know why it is necessary. Most parents do not understand the necessity of sleep and speak about sleep as a task. Especially, to keep the child from getting cranky and keep them off their space. Yet, sleep is necessary for the child to stay healthy and grow as their muscles repair as they sleep. Also, a child that gets enough sleep is creative, alert, energetic and is at a good weight. Try to explain to your child if they are old enough why sleep is necessary. It will help them make it a priority for themselves sooner in life.
The amount they need
No one wants a sleep-deprived child and thus it is vital to know how much sleep your child
needs. Unfortunately, a sleep-deprived child is at more danger than a food-deprived one. This is because your child needs more sleep than you. Hence if you are sleeping for similar hours’ chances are that your child is sleep-deprived. A toddler needs at least 12 hours of sleep in a day. While 6 to 13-year-olds need at least 10 hours of sleep a day. Do you have teenagers? Allow them to get at least 9 hours of sleep. This is important for their overall well-being and your sanity as well for any effects of lack of enough sleep will rub off on you.
Getting them to sleep
Most parents find nighttime as a nightmare. Fortunately, the battle between the child and
parent can end when you put in place a routine. Ensure it is as effective during weekends and holidays as well and if possible it is the same for the whole family. Choose an activity that is fun for your child that will work as a sign that bedtime is close. Alternatively do the usual of a warm bath, brushing teeth and ending it in the bathroom. Dim the lights and turn off screens half an hour to time and this includes your child’s smartphones especially for teenagers. Choose a routine that works effectively to get your child to sleep faster and better.
School time versus bedtime
Should schools start at a later time? Many parents wonder about this subject for they find their children need to wake up early to prepare. Yet, most of them wake up cranky and fatigued due to not getting enough sleep. Therefore, since there’s no easy solution talking to the school on behalf of your child. Change the timings in your house and plan them with the school time in mind. Have your child asleep earlier to wake up refreshed the next morning. Hence, do all the chores within a given period before sleep time like dinner, homework, and others. Once they are well rested you will see a difference in their academics shift for the better.
Observe for sleep problems
Did you know that most children’s sleep problems occur in at least 40% of the children? As your child grows and starts to socialize there are many things as a parent you can observe. For instance, behavioral problems that can trigger nightmares among others. Sometimes a sleep disorder can present itself in nightmares, bed wetting and you can tell with a change in how they sleep. Some common cases are snoring, trouble breathing, nightmares, and sleepwalking. In case any of this arises consult with a sleep doctor. This will help you know what the underlying cause is and how to solve it.
The need for a nap
Not only do children need naps but adults as well for the many benefits. Depending on how
sleepy your child is during the day it will determine the amount of sleep they got at night. Naps are necessary for reenergizing the body among other benefits. For instance, a child that has to sleep for 13 hours but sleeps for 8 hours can compensate the difference between naps. All in all, a child either a toddler or a teenager that craves a nap is a clear sign that they are not getting enough sleep. Hence although naps are good an earlier bedtime is better for those that nap for over an hour or more for they will struggle to fall asleep at night.
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The sleep quality and quantity
The quality of sleep is not the same as the quantity of sleep. Hence, the two should flow
together for good sleep health. A child that is getting both quality and quantity of sleep nods off in a few minutes lying in bed. Plus, while they wake up in the morning they wake themselves up with ease at the time they should wake up. On the other hand, a child that you have to go to their room over and over to make sure they are up is a sign they are not getting enough sleep.
Sum up, make sleep a priority in your household and your children will grow familiar to it. If a routine is not working pick a new one for kids blend in faster to routines than adults. Even to a parent sleep is more important than they might think it is. No one wants a household full of groggy and fatigued people in the morning. Follow the above pointers and practice how to get your child the proper amount of sleep to grow to their full potential.
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