If you need sleep help to optimize your child’s mind and body development, you’re not alone! Over 50% of parents with young children report sleep deprivation due to nighttime wakings. And it’s not only the parents who suffer from lack of sleep, but the kids do too. We often forget that sleep is as essential as food, water, shelter, and safety in our harried society. However, children’s sleep deprivation symptoms are not as apparent as a growling tummy, thirst, or feeling too cold or hot. Adults often overlook sleep deprivation signs and identify the traits as lousy behavior, clumsiness, anxiety, lack of focus, or emotional issues. So, if your child’s behavior is missing the mark, they may be suffering from sleep deficiency.
Pediatric specialist Dr. Marc Weissbluth, author of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, highlights the vital role sound sleep plays in a child’s development. In his words, “Sleep problems not only disrupt a child’s nights– they disrupt his days, too, by making him less mentally alert, unable to concentrate, and easily distracted. They also make him more physically impulsive, hyperactive or lazy.”
Fun Fact
Did you know sleep helps conquer germs? It’s true! During a sound slumber, both kids and adults naturally produce cytokines, an essential protein that fights stress, infection, and illness. So, it makes sense we crave sleep when we are sick. Our bodies are busy manifesting the magical healing protein, cytokines:)
Sleep Healthy
The amount of recommended sleep changes as we grow. And, although sleep cycles vary in every human, the national sleep foundation strongly recommends the following amount of shut-eye to avoid sleep deprivation:
Newborns (0-3 months) * 14-17 hours
Infants (4-11 months) *12 – 15 hours
Toddlers (1-2 years) *11-14 hours
Preschoolers (3-5 years) *10-13 hours
School-aged children (6-13 years) *9-11 hours
Teenagers (14-17 years) *8-10 hours
Young Adults (18-25 years) *7-9 hours
Of course, include naps when calculating both your and your child’s daily sleep intake. So, if you experience periodic sleep disruptions, take a cat nap to stay healthy.
Sleep Help Questions
My child doesn’t wake me every night. Only a couple of nights a week. Will this create developmental issues?
In an ideal world, we would all sleep through every night undisturbed. But that’s not reality. As long as both you and your child take the time to nap the day following the sleep disturbance, sleep will restore, and so will you:)
My child looks pretty tired after school. Is this normal?
Yes. Very normal. Most children are hungry, tired, and ready for a break after school. Not only are they devoting a lot of energy to learning and socializing, but kids are also busy growing all day, every day. So, just being awake can be fatiguing. A couple of after school activities are ok, but remember it’s also healthy for them to chill at home with the family:) Plus, now, with distance learning, sitting in front of a computer is challenging for their developing minds and bodies and, quite often, takes a toll on their mental energy level. To help increase their stamina, step outside for fresh air during breaks and play. Exercise enlivens their growing minds and bodies:)
At Tucked+Covered, our mission is better to sleep for the whole family.
We spend countless hours perfecting our bedding to give you the sleep help you need. Give us a try for 30 nights or naps risk-free and sleep the difference. We know from experience when your kids sleep, then YOU sleep. It’s that simple;)