By Wendy Owen
Is your child sleep
deprived? Hard to get out
of bed?, Falling behind
in school or just plain
cranky?
Although we all need
enough sleep to function
well during the day, it's
most important for
children especially to
have enough sleep,
because it's only during
sleep that body produces
growth hormones. These
hormones are essential
for healthy child
development.
Roughly one in three
children is sleep
deprived, an alarming
statistic. So is there
anything we parents can
do about it? |
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There
are several reasons children may
not be getting the sleep they
need. We all know the usual
things that keep our kids awake
at night. Lack of exercise and
sunshine, stress or anxiety or
not having a good sleep routine
in place.
There are also a few lesser known
causes of sleep problems in
children and we'll have a look at
the main ones here.
Television
and computers in the bedroom
Computer games and television in
the bedroom are among the most
common reason your child isn't
getting enough sleep! Playing
computer games is both
entertaining and stimulating. If
your child is using computers or
the television to unwind before
bed, they're probably keeping
them awake.
Television can stimulate our
children's minds so that it's
hard to relax, especially if it's
a scary program,
Noise
and light
Even dim light, can make it
difficult to fall asleep. Light
prevents the brain from producing
the hormone melatonin which
induces sleep. The bright,
flickering television or computer
screen prevents this essential
sleep hormone from forming.
Fizzy
drinks
You wouldn't give your
child a cup of coffee or
tea in the evening, but
how about a chocolate bar
or a glass of cola at
lunchtime? Caffeine is a
notorious stimulant and
most of us know not to
drink coffee late at
night. But did you know
caffeine can take 6-8
hours more to leave our
bodies? That can of cola
after school could be
keeping your child awake
long after his normal
bedtime.Child
stress
Is your child have always
busy? School, homework,
sports, coaching.....
Children sometimes have
trouble fitting
everything in.
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This
can cause stress and can be a
major cause of sleep problems in
children as there is no time left
at the end of the day to relax.
Obesity and childhood sleep apnea
Overweight children can be prone
to childhood sleep apnea which is
a serious disease where the body
doesn't get enough oxygen.
Childhood sleep apnea is a real
risk for overweight children. If
you suspect sleep apnea could be
affecting your child, seek
medical attention fast.
Childhood
nightmares
Dreams are a necessary and
natural way to process what
happens in our lives, but does
your child have nightmares or bad
dreams? Kids who have nightmares
regularly, sometimes resist the
urge to sleep because they are
afraid of scary dreams.
These are some
of the reasons your child may be
sleep deprived. As you've
probably figured out they also
apply to us adults!
Child sleep problems can affect
the whole family, not to mention
your child's wellbeing.
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site is provided for
informational purposes and is not
meant to substitute for the
advice provided by your own
physician or other medical
professional. These products and
informational articles are not
intended to diagnose, treat or
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