One in four parents report that getting their young child to bed is a significant challenge, often attributed to the child’s anxiety or worries. This difficulty is exacerbated by the lack of a structured bedtime routine, increased use of video or TV, and parents staying with their child until they are fully asleep.
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The recent National Poll on Children’s Health by the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital sheds light on these bedtime battles. According to the survey, establishing a consistent bedtime routine can play a critical role in alleviating these nighttime challenges.
Sarah Clark, M.P.H., co-director of the Mott Poll, emphasizes the importance of a predictable bedtime routine for young children. Without adequate rest, children may face setbacks in their physical development, emotional regulation, and behavior.
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Common reasons for bedtime struggles include young children experiencing fears of the dark, bad dreams, or other anxieties. These fears often lead to delayed bedtimes or children waking up upset and crying in the middle of the night.
Despite these challenges, most parents incorporate various routines such as brushing teeth, reading stories, or bathing to help children transition into sleep. However, using devices before bed or staying with the child until they sleep can be counterproductive.
About one in five parents admit to using melatonin to aid their child’s sleep. However, Clark warns against relying on melatonin due to the unknown long-term effects on a child’s growth and development.
Parents can also help ease their child’s anxiety by offering reassurance, talking through their child’s day, and checking on them periodically. A balanced approach between comforting the child and maintaining sleep boundaries is crucial.
Creating a conducive sleep environment is essential, with recommendations to keep children’s rooms quiet, remove noise from other rooms, and avoid electronic devices that emit blue light. Implementing these changes can significantly improve sleep quality.
Parents may also use nightlights, calming music, or white noise machines to help soothe children to sleep. Proper placement of these devices is essential to avoid potential disturbances or harm.
Changes in a child’s daytime routine, transitioning from naps, or moving from a crib to a toddler bed can also affect sleep patterns. Gradual adjustments to sleep routines can help accommodate these changes more effectively.
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