Treatment of insomnia in children requires an overall assessment. The symptoms may be primary, but an unidentified further cause; or secondary, an underlying disease or condition. Symptoms may be acute, for example. short-lived, from a few days to a few weeks. or chronic, showing up three or more nights each week for months on end.
The causes can be many and varied, but finding the cause is a big step towards a solution. If the cause is something critical, like autism, Asperger 's, or a neurological or bipolar disorder, treatment of the disease should help. If such conditions are excluded, the likely causes are stress, medication side effects, asthma, allergies or eczema, which require no therapy to get help to both condition such as sleep patterns.
Whatever the underlying cause, there are steps that parents can take to get their children, and themselves, some much needed rest:
Have your child evaluated. Parents should start with their child's pediatrician. He or she can, in turn, recommend follow-up with specialists to diagnose an underlying condition, or a sleep specialist who can implement a sleep study of your child.
Monitor your child's diet. Cola or energy drinks, contains large amounts of caffeine and sugar, that can affect a child's ability to relax and fall asleep. Bedtime snacks should be light and healthy. Water should be the drink of choice, but the warm milk or herbal tea with honey works well, too.
Keep them in normal sleeping schedules. Try to keep their sleeping routine consistent and simple. Have them prepare the bed at the same time every night and start relaxing activities such as reading, before falling asleep.
Darken the room. Many children want to leave the lights on when they go to sleep. But studies show that a lit room helps to sleep issues. Get them a night light or put their lights on a dimmer, so that they need not be in pitch darkness.
Turn off and tune out. To find a relaxing evening activity that everyone can participate on the night before the snooze time. Activities that stimulate the senses, like video games and TV should be off a few hours before bed. White noise machines are available on the market that can deliver a consistent soothing background sounds.
Minimize stress. Many parents laughing almost when asked if their child can experience stress, but children take a large number of signals from parents, and if the parents are concerned, it is a safe bet that many children are too. Look for sources of stress in your child's life, and try to imagine things from his point of view. Things that seem unimportant to you may be overwhelming to a child. Talk with your child about things that an upcoming test or a bully at school can go along way to calm their fears.
Make them feel safe. For younger children, choose a trusted stuffed animals as "anxious dog." Have your child whisper their concerns to the dog while you listen, and keep the stuffed animal at his side during the night. Some psychiatrists have found that writing a personal story for children, including familiar toys, friends, family and places, with hot, heavy, relaxed and safe imagery, is good. Read such fantasy tales before bedtime for a week or more is sometimes all that is needed.
Cathryn is a working mother of three. A self-styled health and fitness nut, Cathryn loves to research and write about health and wellness related topics. For more professional information, you can visit at http://www.cathrynharperpress.com/
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