children can also have trouble sleeping some nights. This often results in multiple micro-awakenings during the night or early morning awakenings. If these sleep disturbances occur repeatedly in your child, it can lead to other health problems. In some cases, it is even possible that their physical and/or mental development may be affected. If you are wondering why your little one is not sleeping well, here are some answers.
Poor quality bedding
It is well known that the quality of sleep can be significantly affected by poor quality bedding. When a child sleeps on a worn-out mattress, even if it is a 90×190 cm mattress, it does nothing to promote a good night’s rest.
If there is significant deformation in the mattress structure, you should replace it. Otherwise, your child will be kept in positions that are uncomfortable for their back and spine. Thus, the lack of perfect bed firmness will cause them to turn over regularly. Under these conditions, their sleep will never be stable.
The child may also have difficulty breathing, which will increase their nighttime waking. The result of all the factors mentioned above is that when they wake up, your son or daughter will seem more tired than when they went to bed. This situation will naturally have an impact on their day.
An uncomfortable room
A child may have a mattress that’s perfectly suited to their needs and still have trouble sleeping. If this is the case with yours, it could be due to discomfort in their room. The air quality in the room may be poor. This can affect their breathing, a situation that could, over time, lead to obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.
On the other hand, if your child’s room has poor soundproofing, external noises can disturb them. This will cause them to wake up constantly, preventing them from enjoying a truly restful night’s sleep. Not to mention that the color of the walls in the room can also impact their sleep. If they are too bright or warm, they won’t help them drift off.
Health problems
Certain health issues, some more serious than others, can cause your child to sleep poorly. This is particularly true for conditions like ear infections, colds, or other childhood illnesses. If your child has a fever or coughs regularly, they will tend to wake up constantly. Toothaches are also a common cause.
In little ones, lying down sometimes exacerbates teething symptoms. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean a good night’s sleep. If your child is having trouble sleeping, it could also be related to digestive issues. Indeed, certain foods, when eaten at dinner, can disrupt the sleep cycle. Examples of meals include those that are too fatty, contain too much protein, or contain overly acidic fruits.
A bad bedtime routine
A child who has bad bedtime habits may also have trouble sleeping. This is the case, for example, if they habitually watch cartoons or play video games before going to bed. In such circumstances, falling asleep will be difficult for them. They may also experience nightmares or tend to talk in their sleep.
Poor hygiene can also contribute to your child’s sleep difficulties. Perhaps their bed linen isn’t changed regularly, or they don’t brush their teeth before bed. Furthermore, if your child is particularly sensitive, a lack of affection (cuddles, reassuring words, etc.) before bed can also make it difficult for them to fall asleep easily.
Family or school problems
Certain family-related issues can also negatively impact a child’s sleep quality. The child may be living in a hostile family environment where arguments, violence, or poor communication are common.
The longer these problems between parents persist, the more anxiety the child tends to experience. This results in nights when they have trouble falling asleep. There are also problems at school, such as an overloaded schedule, a lack of academic support, and learning disabilities, among others.
