Sleep and Wakefullness in Child

Posted on February 9, 2009
Filed Under Child Birth |

Many two-year-olds periodically wake up during the night. If your child is one of them, this may be distressing for you and your partner, but it is both usual and normal, and you should never deny your child love, comfort, and affection because of this. There may be some obvious problem that causes your child to wake up, but often you won’t be able to find a reason for this happening. It could just be that she’s afraid of the dark, but she cannot explain to you what is wrong, nor can you reassure her with words. You have to comfort her with actions, so give lots of kisses and hugs to show your child that she is loved.

Daytime naps As your child gets older you will find that she doesn’t necessarily want to sleep at nap time, but she still does need to rest. Try to make a routine out of nap time, whether your child sleeps or not by, say, playing some music or reading. You may find your child goes to sleep at nap time if you allow her to sleep in your bed as a special treat, or if you give her some idea of how long the nap time will be. One way of doing this is to put on her favorite tape and say that nap time isn’t over until the tape is finished.

FROM CRIB TO BED

When your child is strong enough and well coordinated enough to climb out of her crib and come into your room, it is time for her to start using a bed. Most children will be pleased and excited with their new bed, but if your child seems nervous, there are plenty of things you can do to help. The simplest thing is to let her take naps in the bed until she is ready to sleep in it at night. If you are worried that your child might fall out of the bed, you could use a bed guard on one or both sides.

PLEASANT BEDTIMES

From the age of three onward, your child may use delaying tactics in order to put off going to bed. The way you handle this situation really depends on how much energy you have at the end of the day, and what your previous bedtime routine has been.

If you’ve been looking after your child and managing the household tasks all day, you will need private time and may feel you can insist on her going to bed. On the other hand, if you have been out at work all day, you will want to see your child, so you may feel sympathetic to her pleas for your attention.

If you’ve always had quite a strict bedtime routine and your child suddenly departs from this, then it’s probably best for both of you if you firmly reinstitute the bedtime with loving fairness. If, however, you’ve always been flexible about bed times, then it’s probably best for your child’s happiness and peace of mind and your serenity to let her stay with you and make herself comfortable. She will be asleep in a few minutes if she has the reassurance of your presence in the room.

KEEPING BEDTIME PEACEFUL

I am convinced that bedtimes should be happy times, and with my own children I would do anything to keep them from going to bed unhappy. I was always prepared to make concessions to them at this time. I would do my utmost to prevent any crying, and where during the day I might admonish or punish a small misdemeanor, it would go unmarked at nighttime to make sure that my child didn’t go to sleep with the sound of an angry parent’s voice resounding in his ears.

If you have more than one child, let them enjoy their bedtimes in the same bedroom. Company is reassuring and seeing a sister or brother in pajamas at the same time as she is makes your child feel that bedtimes are just and fair, even if your older child is allowed to stay up slightly later. Until they get to an age where they need their privacy , it’s a good idea for them to share a bedroom.


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