Children not sleeping is one of the problems that many parents may encounter, which may cause various health problem, especially in terms of development and growth. There is also a tendency to have emotional and social problem as well. Parents should therefore let children get enough rest so that their physical and mental development will be complete and ready.
How much sleep should a child get per day?
Newborns (under 6 months)
A newborn’s body clock is not yet fully developed. Babies under 6 months of age will sleep for 18 hours a day, โปรโมชั่นพิเศษจาก UFABET สมัครตอนนี้ รับโบนัสทันทีwith an equal amount of time during the day and night.
For the first few weeks, newborns should wake every three to four hours until they reach a healthy weight. After that, newborns can start sleeping for longer periods of time, and by three months old, the average baby will sleep 14 hours a day, with eight to nine hours of sleep per night and two to three naps during the day.
Infants aged 6-12 months
At this age, babies need an average of 14 hours of sleep per night, with two to three naps of 30 minutes to two hours each. Most babies at this age will stop waking up for night feeds, or if they do, they won’t need to be fed.
Toddler
Between the ages of 1 and 3, most children will sleep about 12 to 14 hours. However, children at this age may develop a condition called “fear of separation,” which causes them to want to be with their parents all the time and shows this by refusing to go to sleep. However, problem parents need to set a fixed bedtime and try to get their children to sleep at that time.
Some parents often misunderstand that keeping children awake for a long time will make them sleepy and fall asleep easier. But in fact, the more tired a child is, the harder it is to fall asleep. And often express it by crying and being fussy. Children of this age still need to take a nap during the day for about 1-3 hours, but there is no need to force children to take a nap during the day. Just let your child be in a quiet place for a period of time so that your child can rest. You may not need to sleep.
Preschool age
Preschoolers typically sleep 11 to 12 hours at night, and those who get enough sleep at night may not need to nap during the day, but should still allow some quiet time during the day. Children who don’t nap during the day tend to go to bed earlier.
School-aged children to pre-adolescence
School-aged children should get 10-11 hours of sleep at night, and sleep problem often begin at this age. There are many reasons for this, including homework, exercise, after-school activities, computers, TV, phones, and family activities, all of which can lead to children not getting enough sleep.
teenager
Teens need 9 hours of sleep per day, but most teens don’t get enough sleep for a variety of reasons, such as doing homework, talking to friends, being addicted to cell phones, or doing many activities that can lead to insufficient sleep on a regular basis until it becomes a habit.
My child doesn’t sleep. What’s the danger?
1. Affects brain function
Preschoolers who don’t get enough sleep may be more likely to have trouble concentrating, controlling emotions and processing information as they get older, according to a study published in the journal Academic Pediatrics. The average child ages 3 to 4 should get 11 hours of sleep per night.
But if you don’t get enough sleep, it can affect your brain function. This is because research has found that lack of sleep can affect the part of your brain that is used for thinking and controlling your emotions.
2. Increased risk of accidents
Lack of sleep impairs a child’s physical activity. Bicycling injuries and playground accidents are more likely to occur when kids don’t get enough sleep, says Dr. Carl Hunt, director of the Sleep Disorders Research Center at the National Institutes of Health.
If children continue to have poor sleep habits, they will be at greater risk of developing the condition, which may continue into adolescence.
3. Affects children’s growth
Growth hormone is a hormone that causes the body to grow in children. The highest levels of growth hormone are secreted into the bloodstream during deep sleep. Therefore, lack of sleep can cause the body to secrete less growth hormone, which can affect the height and growth of children.
4. Affects the immune system
Lack of sleep can affect the immune system because during sleep, the body releases interleukin-1, a compound that stimulates the immune system. And several nights of sleep deprivation can disrupt a child’s immune system.
5. May affect vaccination
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2002 reported that poor sleep can limit the effectiveness of flu vaccines in children.
6. Increased risk of obesity and diabetes.
Lack of sleep has been linked to obesity and diabetes , according to a University of Chicago study. Sleep deprivation alters levels of hormones that control hunger and stimulate appetite, and can lead to higher-calorie, higher-carb foods.
Therefore, insufficient sleep in children may cause them to overeat unhealthy foods, increasing their risk of obesity and diabetes.
How to solve the problem of children not sleeping
Parents can help their children get enough sleep with these tips:
- Make it a habit for your child to go to bed on time. A simple routine is bathing, reading, and going to bed. This should be a routine every day, including weekends.
- Create a sleep-friendly environment. The bedroom should be dark, cool, and quiet, which will help your child fall asleep faster.
- Parents should not let children drink beverages high in caffeine or sugar in the afternoon as this can affect their sleep quality.