Causes of insomnia in children, symptoms and treatment methods

It is normal for all children to get enough sleep as it is very important for their healthy development, but some children suffer from various sleep disorders including insomnia and lack of sleep. Insomnia in children, its symptoms and treatment methods.

Insomnia in children

Insomnia is a type of sleep disorder that can occur in infants, young children, and teens, causing difficulty falling asleep, waking up early, or interrupting sleep during the night. Insomnia in children can be short-term for a few days or weeks due to another medical condition that the child has that goes away with the death of the disease, or it can be long-term and occurs three times a week for a month or more due to another problem that you should see a doctor about.

Table of the number of hours of sleep for children

Here is a table of how many hours a child should sleep according to his age:

Insomnia symptoms in children

Parents may not realize that their child is suffering from insomnia for one reason or another, but there are several symptoms that you should be aware of that your child may have that indicate a lack of sleep, such as:

• Refusal to sleep and your struggle to get him to sleep.
• His many requests as soon as he falls asleep, such as asking him to drink water, go to the bathroom, or read a story.
• Waking up a lot during the night and finding it hard to fall asleep on your own.
• The child wakes up very early in the morning.
• His resistance to the bedtime you set and his constant attempt to stay up late.
• He doesn’t want to nap in the middle of the day even though he gets up early.
• Difficulty getting up in the morning to go to school.

As a result, he shows signs of disturbed sleep at night, even during the day. These are the factors that lead to insomnia in children :

• Feeling tired, tired and lethargic during the day.
• The development of attention, concentration and memory disorders in a child.
• Decrease in school performance and the child’s performance in social activities.
• Mood disturbances and irritability almost always have the slightest cause.
• Behavioral problems manifested in violence, aggression, hyperactivity, and persistent resistance at school or towards parents.
• Lack of enthusiasm for suggestions or activities.
• His surrender to the frustration of everything he encounters.

Causes of insomnia in children

There are several reasons that could be behind the lack of sleep in children , including:

stress and tension

Like adults, children can experience stress. Your child may be deeply afraid of things he or she does not tell you about your child’s anxiety symptoms . Behind that there may be real problems that need to be resolved.

Caffeine and other stimulants

You need to take care of the diet of your child, carbonated drinks contain a large amount of caffeine, not only tea and coffee, and their presence in a place where smokers expose him to secondhand smoke, which also leads to sleep problems.

take some medicine

Some medications can cause side effects, such as insomnia and trouble sleeping. If your child has ADHD, antidepressants, corticosteroids, or anti-epileptic and anti-seizure medications, he may have insomnia.

Other diseases that the child suffers from

chronic disease

The child may have other conditions that affect their sleep and should have a physical examination for their symptoms if your child develops insomnia as a result, such as:

Sleep disorders

It is possible and perfectly normal for other sleep disturbances to be a cause of insomnia in children, such as sleep apnea associated with snoring, restless legs syndrome, nightmares, bedtime phobias and bedwetting.

Neurological disorders

Children with autism, intellectual disabilities, and Asperger syndrome can also have trouble sleeping and insomnia.

psychiatric disturbances

Children with psychiatric disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder can also experience restlessness and insomnia.

environmental factors

Noise, lack of rest, high temperatures or cold weather and lighting in the bedroom can be factors that affect a child’s drowsiness and lead to insomnia, and the presence of electronic devices in the room such as tablets, computers and televisions can distract the child before that. A bed so there must be a fully prepared room environment for a peaceful sleep.

Treating insomnia in children

Fortunately, insomnia in children can be treated, especially if it is due to sleeping habits only, and there are several ways in which you can organize a sleep routine for your child to get rid of his sleep problems, namely:

• Single sleep mode also on weekends and holidays.
• Leave 20-45 minutes before bedtime to perform certain rituals, such as: take a warm bath, brush your teeth, or read a bedtime story.
• During a bedtime ritual, make sure your child is not watching TV, holding a cell phone, or playing electronic games.
• Ensure that your child does not fall asleep immediately after eating or vice versa if he is very hungry.
• Your child should not drink caffeinated beverages in the afternoon or evening.
• Make sure the room’s environment is suitable for a good night’s sleep, for example, set the room temperature so that it’s not too hot or too cold, and turn on bright lights or turn off the lights if you’re not afraid of the dark.
• If your child is used to naps, don’t let him sleep late or sleep for at least four hours before going to bed.

Can medicines treat insomnia in children?

If the child has organic, mental, or neurological disorders such as the above, the child may need medication to relieve symptoms that lead to sleep disturbances, other medications to treat mental disorders, or other medications to help with the daily routine should be prescribed to you. The child by the doctor after consultation, according to the case.

Treats insomnia in children with herbs and drinks

There are many herbs that can help your baby sleep, but there are not enough studies to prove that they are safe for the baby. Therefore, you should consult a doctor before giving it to your child:

• catnip;
• Chamomile or chamomile.
• Cherry juice.
• Warm milk.

Finally get rid of it Insomnia in children Finding the source of their problem and treating it is not difficult, it will greatly help your child to get the sleep he needs for his healthy growth. If you have any questions,