Children of different ages need anything between 9-16 hours of sleep through the day to stay healthy and function properly. As a matter of fact, getting adequate sleep is as important as getting nutritious food to grow properly. Depending on your child's age they require anything between 9-16 hours of sleep to grow and stay healthy.
Here are some symptoms that will help you figure out if your child is not getting sufficient sleep.
1. Young children viz babies and toddlers: Lack of sleep usually causes them to become more fussy, whiny and or cranky as the later part of the day approaches. Additionally, they can act more clingy and needy due to lack of adequate sleep. Behavior problems like hyper behavior, becoming to quiet or too talkative, becoming fidgety and or antsy are signs of sleep deprivation. Toddlers and infants can fall asleep during short car rides, look or feel tired during the day and ask to nap at odd times.
2. Kids in primary school: They usually wake up groggy in the morning and you will find it difficult to wake them up for school. Even when they do wake up they wake up cranky. They tend to fall asleep at inappropriate times like in class or on the bus ride to and from school. Sleep deprivation causes kids to have problems focusing on things being taught in class and lack the energy to keep up with the requirements of sports and playing time. Struggling with academics at school, anxiety, having trouble falling asleep, wanting to nap during at odd hours during the day are all symptoms of sleep deprivation.
Most infants usually need up to 16 hours of sleep including the sleeping hours at night and naps during the day. As kids grow older their sleep requirements tend to decrease however a minimal of 10-12 hours of sleep is still a must for younger children and those in primary school. Lack of sleep can hamper your child's physical growth, weaken immunity, cause behavioral problems etc.
Now that we have discussed the havoc that sleep deprivation can cause in your child's life and body here are some tips to ensure that they get adequate sleep.
1. Make sure that all the electronics are put away 1 hour before bed time.
2. Create a fun bed time ritual to follow every night to prepare the child and their mind for bed time.
3. Stick to your scheduled bed times. If at all the schedules have to differ they shouldn't be altered beyond 45 mins.
4. Avoid play time around bed time. Sports and playing before bed time can actually prevent kids from sleeping on time.
5. Plan your dinner to include sleep inducing food. A cup of warm milk with a little turmeric helps keep kids healthy while promoting better sleep at night.
6. It is important that adequate sleep be a priority in your child's schedule. Sleeping time shouldn't vary more than an hour during weekdays and weekends.
Sleep is a vital ingredient for your child's overall growth. Simple changes for adequate sleep will help keep your child healthy.
