Childhood Insomnia: Causes and Treatment

Insomnia is generally not associated with children, although it certainly affects people of all ages. Whether the primary issue is falling asleep or the inability to stay asleep through the night, having a child that suffers from insomnia can be very distressing to a parent. It is not only upsetting, but it can potentially upset the entire household. Sleep deprivation contributes to moodiness, lack of concentration and a disruption in the family routine. Here are some causes of insomnia in children and methods of treatment to get everyone back to sleep and back on schedule.

Over-Stimulation Before Bedtime
This is a common cause of childhood insomnia and often the most overlooked. Some children can enjoy a rough game of wrestling or a high spirited round of hide and go seek and then fall asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow, but many others cannot. If your child is suddenly having trouble sleeping, consider the activities that are typical of your household right before lights out. It is possible that the affectionate horseplay between siblings or father and child before bedtime may be the culprit. Other children are affected by television shows or video games that are too loud and energetic. Designate the hour before bedtime for quiet play or reading in bed to see if there is a noticeable change in the child's sleeping patterns. My older daughter loved to tumble and dance when she was a toddler, but engaging in this activity too close to bedtime made for a very restless sleep. I instituted the quiet hour before bed and was amazed at how quickly she was able to doze off and how soundly she slept once she became comfortable with the new routine.

Lack of Routine at Bedtime
Children thrive on routine. Knowing what to expect makes them feel safe, secure and loved. A night time routine allows their bodies to wind down from the day and sends the message to their brains that sleep is imminent. These signals are imperative to regular and restorative sleep. Establish a bedtime routine and stick to it as much as possible. This may require turning down certain social invitations or rearranging plans at the last minute, but the child suffering from insomnia will surely benefit from it. My second daughter definitely required her familiar bedtime routine when she was younger. Any deviation would result in a lack of sleep for her and us. We made the necessary adjustments to our schedule and left many a family party early so we could keep her on her routine. It was inconvenient at times, but was definitely the best thing for her and for our family unit.

Sensitivity to Sleep Environment Factors
Some children need to sleep in rooms that are very warm, while others need a cooler temperature. Some require the light left on, others need almost total darkness to be able to relax enough to go to sleep. A relative amount of noise in the house may be soothing to certain children, when that is too distracting and interrupting to others. Examine your child's sleeping environment closely and pay attention to their chief complaints at bedtime. A simple change may be all that is needed to get your son or daughter off to dreamland and remain there for the duration of the night.

Stress
Many adults cast aside the notion that children can actually suffer from stress. This is not only entirely possible, but very common. Just as anxieties cause sleep disruption in adults, a stressful time of life interferes with a child's ability to get a good night's sleep. Talk to your child about what is causing the stress and work together to eliminate the source, or minimize the effects of the situation. Encourage him or her to express their feelings and engage in relaxing activities before bedtime, such as writing in a journal, reading an engrossing novel or taking a warm bath. My middle school daughter dealt with a myriad of social issues when she was in sixth grade. Her old friends seemed to be going in a different direction and she was disappointed when she didn't make the cut for a school club. She suffered quite a few sleepless nights before we had a heart to heart talk and she followed my suggestions on how to wind down before bedtime.

Medical Issue
Occasionally, children can suffer from physical and medical issues that result in insomnia. Enlarged tonsils or adenoids can be the culprit, leading to a form of sleep apnea. Prescribed medications can also cause sleeping issues. A consult with your child's pediatrician and a thorough exam should reveal the source of the medical cause of your son or daughter's sleep issue. My teenager frequently woke up tired and cranky when she was in first grade. She was often sleepy in the afternoon and had a reoccurring cycle of sore throats. It was discovered that her adenoids were extremely enlarged and needed to be removed. Immediately after the surgery, she slept more soundly than she had in ages. She was back to her happy self in the morning and I knew that was a result of getting the rest that she needed during the night.

Adhering to a relaxed and regular bedtime routine, adjusting the sleep environment and addressing any emotional or physical issues should make great strides in greatly reducing or eliminating your child's bouts of insomnia.