Tuesday, June 9, 2009

What You Should Know about Toddler Sleep Problems

By Syed Hus

Toddler sleep problems are very common and maybe you have noticed that your own child is experiencing one of the problems. Well, it is important that you get to know some of the common problems and also how you can deal with the problems. Just the same as it is to you, your child needs enough sleep to relax.

Toddler sleep patterns differ from child to child and also from age and circumstances. Unless you are aware of the toddler sleep problems, you would not be able to identify your child's problem and possibly reach out to help.

So, let us start by getting a reminder of the common toddler sleep problems.

Common sleep problems to expect

1. There are several problems that your toddler may have on the line of sleep. The common six toddler sleep problems or disorders are:

2. Sleep walking or sleep talking. This is the same as it happens to adults. As in, your child would wake up, sit, chat or even do things while they are not on their senses. They are sleeping but not sleeping. This is a disorder.

3. Your toddler can experience night terrors or night mares. Usually, this would happen barely one and half hours after you put your baby to sleep. They would scream, wake up and the sleep would be disturbed for at least 30 minutes.

4. There is the toddler sleep problem of bedtime resistance or night awakenings. In this situation, the baby would try all means to avoid sleep time and they would battle with sleep greatly.

5. Bed wetting is a disorder. It is hereditary though.

6. There is the toddler sleep problem of narcolepsy. This is whereby the child finds problem waking up in the morning. They would react so badly when you wake them up or just cry the whole morning if you force them to wake up.

7. Obstructive sleep apnea is the other problem. In this case, the child would show some symptoms that interfere with sleep such as snoring or difficulty in breathing. Obesity is one known cause of this problem.

Of course, there are several others other problems that you would notice in your toddler but the main issue should be on how best you can help the problem. Causes of these problems are usually variable depending on one from to another.

Lack of routine bedtime rituals, depression, anxiety, trauma, intestinal worms, and feelings of insecurity are among the major causes of toddler sleep problems. Therefore, if you really want to help your child, you would ensure that you are not letting sleep problems interfere with them.

About the Author:

No comments: