Your children are still growing and developing and still need 11-14 hours of sleep. Sleep deprivation can affect your child's mood, ability to concentrate and even put them at risk of obesity, diabetes and immunosuppression. Good sleeping habits are critical and will help them in the future, but it’s not always an easy process. You can help by having a bedtime routine at the same time every night that can include a shower, brushing teeth, reading a book or singing a lullaby before falling asleep. Try to let your children fall asleep on their own. Use a known and loved doll to hep. Allow your child to choose a doll or soft toy that will give them a feeling of safety and help them fall asleep.
Planning a family trip? In order to hold on to the good sleep habits try to hold onto the bedtime routine as much as possible. Bedtime should be at the same time as usual, with the same bedtime routine. Bring the child's favorite toy to help your children fall asleep in the unknown environment.
Some children can have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night. As parents, you must follow the instructions above and try to understand your child and be patient. A negative response to a recurring problem could make the situation worse. If your child keeps waking up during the night, calm him down and remind him that you’re there for them even if you're not in the room. Explain to them that it’s time to go to sleep and give them a chance to fall back asleep on their own.
Last updated: May 2017
Authors - Tamar Sudry BA MED, Dr. Yair Sadaka MD Ph.D., pediatrician, Pediatric neurologist
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