How to Help a Child with Insomnia

Just like an adult, a child can suffer from insomnia. This sleep disorder usually appears as difficulty dropping off to sleep or awakening periodically throughout the night. Left unaddressed, insomnia will negatively affect mental and physical development in a child. Follow a few logical steps to cure pediatric insomnia.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Take steps to ensure tiredness. Eliminate naps. Make sure the child gets daily exercise. By nightfall there should be no stored-up energy to burn.
   • 2
     Cut down on sugar and grains before bedtime. These snacks raise blood glucose levels. This produces an energy boost that sabotages the goal of sleep.
   • 3
     Eliminate caffeine. It usually comes in the form of tea and cola. Caffeine also shows up in some juice boxes, sodas and sports drinks. The caffeine inhibits a chemical in the brain that promotes sleep.
   • 4
     Quiet the household. Reduce environmental noise that can contribute to insomnia. This includes the din of loud adult conversation, blare of the television and blast from music speakers.
   • 5
     Keep sleep conditions consistent and uncomplicated. If special techniques like music are used to induce sleep at bedtime, the same techniques will be needed later in the night should the child awaken. So keep bedtime conditions simple. The child should fall asleep in silence in his own room and bed.
   • 6
     Talk over troubles. Insomnia can surface when a child is feeling afraid or anxious. Ask plenty of open-ended questions that provide the child an opportunity to express concerns. Help the child work through how to address the situation causing the concern. Support and reassurance will counter the insomnia.
   • 7
     Remove rewards. Parents unintentionally encourage insomnia by providing attention when the child wakes during the night. It often takes the form of snacks or movement of the child to the parents' bed. Any behavior followed by positive consequences is likely to be repeated.

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