Is Your Child Suffering from Sleep Disorders? (Part 1)
Did you know deep sleep is thought to be necessary for 50 percent of children's growth?
Sleep is essential for people of all ages. Sleep is essential for people of all ages, but it is particularly critical for young children's growth and development. However, determining whether your child is suffering from a sleep disorder can be difficult, as many common childhood problems can mimic sleep disorders. In this blog, we will look at normal sleep patterns and indicators of sleep disorders in infants and children.
Normal Sleeping Patterns in Infants and Children:
- Sleep patterns fluctuate greatly in the first few years of life
- Newborns require the most sleep time with a fragmented sleep-wake pattern
- Infants can sleep for longer periods starting at five months old
- Children can go without nighttime feedings at six months old, with significant variation
- Breastfed infants have more frequent awakenings, shorter sleep periods, and slightly shorter total sleep times
- Sleep periods lengthen gradually, and total sleep time decreases as children grow older.
Normal Sleep Parameters in Children
The amount of sleep a child needs varies depending on their age. Here is a breakdown of the recommended total sleep time by age:
- 0 to 2 months: 16 to 18 hours
- 2 to 12 months: 12 to 16 hours (most children 6 to 9 months of age sleep through the night)
- 1 to 3 years: 10 to 16 hours
- 3 to 5 years: 11 to 15 hours
- 5 to 14 years: 9 to 13 hours
- 14 to 18 years: 7 to 10 hours
Why is it so Important for Children to Get Enough Sleep?
- Sleep directly affects happiness, alertness, attention, cognitive performance, mood, resiliency, vocabulary acquisition, learning, and memory
- Inadequate sleep can lead to childhood obesity, hyperactivity, weakened immune systems, and poor long-term health
- Lack of sleep can also lead to irritability, mood swings, difficulty controlling emotions, poor memory, and problem-solving skills.
Conclusion
Understanding normal sleeping patterns and the importance of sleep for children's growth and development is crucial. Identifying sleep disorders in children can be challenging, but it's important to monitor sleep patterns and behaviors to promote optimal health and well-being.
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