As much as children would want to play, they also need to get enough rest and sleep in order to grow and develop properly. Children at different age groups have different thoughts and feelings toward sleep. Toddlers and pre-schoolers hate to sleep; they would rather play outside the whole day than take their afternoon nap. On the other hand, some school age children might use sleep as an alibi to miss homework or attendance from school. Most of the time, children consider sleep as an activity they must do every day. Sleeping, like eating, bathing and playing, is part of their regular routine. When does sleep become a problem to children? Similar to adults, children also experience sleeping disorders. They can have nightmares, excessive sleep and insomnias. Children approximately need 9 to 12 hours of sleep every day, younger kids especially newborns and infants need more hours. When this number of sleeping hours is not met, the child’s growth and development is disrupted. Several medical conditions, such as headaches, high blood pressure and poor appetite can potentially develop if the child has problems sleeping. There are many factors that contribute to sleeping disorders in children. Factors like diet, physical activity, medications and the environment affect sleep in children. Food items such chocolate and candies can make kids awake and alert. A child who eats these things at night will have difficulty falling asleep. A very noisy and loud atmosphere doesn’t help; it only distracts the child from sleeping. Here are some tips that can help solve sleeping problems in children.

1.  Set a reasonable sleeping and waking schedule – The parent and child must both agree on a sleeping schedule. The number of hours should also be included. For example. A 7 year old child who already goes to school, should sleep at 9pm and wake up at 6am. With this schedule, the child will get sufficient sleeping hours.
2. Offer a warm bath before bedtime – Contrary to belief, warm baths before bedtime can actually soothe and relax children. Making this activity as part of the daily routine can facilitate sleep.
3. Bedtime can become a bonding time – Parents and children can bond during bedtime. Parents can read a story before tucking the child in bed or they can talk about how the child’s day went. This activity doesn’t only help with the child’s sleeping problems; it can also make his relationship with his parent stronger.
4.  Provide an environment that is conducive for rest and sleep – The child’s room must be well ventilated and must have the right temperature, not too cold or too hot. Some children prefer a well-lit room while others can sleep better if it’s dark. The atmosphere in the room must be calm, serene and quiet.
5. Avoid giving foods that can affect sleep – Caffeinated drinks such as soda, coffee and tea must be avoided at least three hours before bedtime. These drinks will make falling asleep difficult. Drinking a warm glass of milk is encouraged; milk contains tryptophan, a substance that can facilitate sleep.