NEWBORNS
May sleep as much as 16 hours a day.
Sleep periods are fairly brief and irregular until their nervous system develops. By the time a baby is 6 months to one year, they should be sleeping 5 or 6 hours at a time.
Problems: Crying and Feeding
Nighttime feedings should subside after their fourth month.
Sleep experts recommend waiting for at least one minute before going to a crying baby, and then providing only minimal feedback for emotional comfort.
Provide a favorite blanket or stuffed animal as a substitute for emotional comfort. The baby's last memories before falling asleep should not be of being held or fed. They should be alone so they do not wake up to find the person or object missing.
TODDLERS
Sleep about 12 hours a day, including a daytime nap.
Toddlers tend to "fight" sleep because of fears of separation from their parents.
Provide a bedtime routine. Include comfort habits which allow the child to wind down from the day and provide reassurance from fear of separation. A bedtime toy or night light can help.
PRESCHOOLERS
Sleep between 10 and 12 hours a night.
Some experience sleep difficulty and develop disorders such as bed-wetting, sleepwalking and night terrors. Parents should take a low-key approach to any disruptions and provide reassurance and support.
GRADE SCHOOLERS
Tend to sleep solidly for 10 hours a night.
Adult sleep patterns begin to develop, including problems with insomnia due to stress and anxiety.
Develop a bedtime routine- undressing, washing-up, brushing teeth, putting on pajamas, etc.
Do not allow children to roughhouse, watch action dramas or play a stimulating game just before bedtime.
Do quiet activities like reading a bedtime story or doing a puzzle.
Avoid the struggle for authority about bedtime. Teach your child to tell time so the clock tells him it's bedtime and not you.
Occasionally let children stay up a little later for a special occasion. But warn them that it will be more difficult to enjoy the next day if they are tired. Let them make the responsible decision.
Monitor your child's sleeping pattern by having them go to bed and get up at certain times. If they are tired or cranky during the day, you should reset their sleep schedule and have them stick to it.
NIGHTMARES
Nightmares are common in children. They are caused by normal emotional concerns such as loss of love, separation anxiety, toilet training, etc. As a parent, offer assurance and support and talk with your child about their worries and concerns.
BED-WETTING
About 15% of all 5 year-olds and 5% of all 10-year-olds wet their beds.
There are many causes for bed-wetting including a small bladder, excessively deep sleep, increased urine output, delayed development or genetic factors. In order for a child to overcome this problem, offer praise, reinforcement and responsibility.
SLEEPWALKING
One in 10 children between the ages of 5 and 12 walk in their sleep at least once a week.
Sleepwalking may be caused by a still-developing central nervous system, a high fever or extreme fatigue. Do not startle a sleepwalking child. Instead, lead the child gently back to bed without disturbing him. Parents should try to make the environment safe, but should not pay excessive attention to it around the child. Most children will eventually outgrow sleepwalking.
Information courtesy of:
SPSC: Sleep Products Safety Council.