Virtual Children's Hospital: CQQA: Sleep Problems

Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Sleep Problems

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: January 2002
Last Revision Date: April 2002

Common Questions, Quick Answers

What kinds of sleep problems do children have?

What is a night terror?

A night terror is not the same as a nightmare.
Nightmares happen during dream sleep. Night terrors happen while your child is asleep, but before he begins dream sleep.
After a nightmare, children wake up with scary memories of a bad dream.
After a night terror, children may feel scared but they will not remember why.
Your child's eyes may open during the terror, but he is still asleep.
Night terrors can last a few minutes or up to an hour.
Children usually have them at about the same time each night, in the first few hours of sleep.
Night terrors can frighten both parents and children but they are not harmful.
Night terrors are dangerous only if your child gets out of bed during one. Keep your child in bed so he does not get hurt. Hold him if needed.
Sleep walking is similar to night terrors. The child may appear awake but is not. It also runs in families. Hold your child so he does not get hurt.
Night terrors and sleep walking affect more boys than girls.

What causes sleep problems?

Children who have night terrors may be overly tired or under stress.
Children who do not have a bedtime routine could have sleep problems.
Some children may not want to go to bed because of separation anxiety (they do not like to be away from loved ones).

Who can have sleep problems?

Night terrors and sleep walking tend to run in families. For example, if the child's mother or father had night terrors, the child will likely have them, too.
Night terrors usually happen between the ages of 4 and 12.
Sleep walking usually happens between the ages of 6 and 12.
Nightmares tend to affect more girls than boys.
Children under stress, children with ADHD, and children affected by substance abuse or mood disorders may have trouble sleeping.

How long will the problem last?

It's normal if your child has sleep problems every once in awhile.
If your child has sleep problems, such as night terrors, many times a night or almost every night for a long period of time, call your doctor.
Children usually grow out of their sleep problems.

What can I do to help my child sleep?

Start a bedtime routine for your child. The routine will help him get ready to sleep.
Use a routine that your child can do even if you are away. Keep it simple. Write the routine down for caregivers when you leave.
Settle down your child at night. Do quiet activities, like a bath, reading books, coloring, or a puzzle. Put toys away and keep child calm.
Feeding and rocking your infant may help him sleep. Older children should be encouraged to go to sleep on their own.
Cool, dark, quiet rooms are usually a better place for children to sleep. Noise and light may keep them awake.
Doctors do not suggest sleep medications for children.
Address other problems that might make it hard for your child to sleep.
Limit time in bed to sleeping time. Your child should learn that when he is in bed, he should sleep.
Make the bedroom a sleeping room. Limit toys in the bedroom so your child is not distracted. Older children should be encouraged to do homework outside of their bedroom.
Some children may need the help of a child or adolescent psychiatrist, a doctor who will talk to your child to help decide what treatment he needs.

How can problems be prevented?

Make sure your child gets plenty of rest.
Set a later bedtime if your child lies awake too long. Set an earlier bedtime if your child sleeps too long in the morning.
Keep bedtime and wake time consistent.
Avoid caffeine, especially in the evening.
Infants and toddlers usually need about 12 hours of sleep. Older children need about 10 hours. Adults need 8-9 hours. Adolescents often need more than the 8 hours of sleep that adults need.
If something is upsetting your child, help him deal with the problem. Avoid stressful situations when possible.

When should I call the doctor?

Call your doctor if your child has night terrors often over a long period of time.
Call your doctor if sleep problems interfere with your child's daytime activities or behavior.
Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child.

Quick Answers

Some sleep problems children might have are nightmares, night terrors, waking often during the night, sleep walking, and lying awake.
After a nightmare, children wake up with scary memories of a bad dream.
After a night terror, children may wake up feeling scared but they will not remember why.
Children who have night terrors may be overly tired or under stress. Children who do not have a bedtime routine could also have sleep problems.
It is not uncommon for children to have sleep problems. Night terrors and sleep walking tend to run in families.
Children usually outgrow their sleep problems.
Start a bedtime routine for your child. The routine will help him get ready to sleep.
Infants and toddlers usually need about 12 hours of sleep. Older children need about 10 hours. Adults need 8-9 hours. Adolescents often need more than 8 hours of sleep.
Call the doctor if you have questions or concerns about your child's sleep habits or sleep problems.

References

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Children's Sleep Problems. 1997 (cited 2001 December 7). Available from: URL:http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/sleep.htm
Rutherford, K MD. Coping With Night Terrors. KidsHealth. 2001 June. (cited 2001 December 7). Available from: URL: http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=107&cat_id=&article_set=10081
Shapiro, HL MD. Parenting Tips for Better Sleep. Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at All Children's Hospital. (cited 2001 December 7).

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