My 7 year old daughter is always sleepy and her night time sleep habits are less than ideal.  It’s not unusual for her to visit me in the middle of the night when I’m feeding the baby or to hop in bed with me when my husband leaves for work at 4:00 a.m.  This has always been her pattern.  But now I’m beginning to worry a bit because she’s been increasingly cranky during the day and is prone to emotional upset.  This situation has led me to do some research, which I’d like to share with you.

There are various reasons for sleep disturbance in children.  According to WebMD, some common causes may be trouble falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep walking, restless legs syndrome, nightmares, or night terrors. There may be a number of reasons for these sleep issues such as lack of nighttime routine or stress and anxiety about daily events.  It’s also possible the cause could be a medical condition.

The average recommended amount of sleep for elementary-aged children is between 10 and 11 hours a night.  Pre-schoolers should get between 11 and 13 hours of sleep each night.  My darling daughter rarely sleeps 10 hours straight.

If you are concerned about your child’s sleep routine, talk to your pediatrician.  He or she may suggest that you observe your child’s sleep patterns for signs of breathing issues or sleep disturbance.  If you suspect that your child’s lack of sleep could be caused by an emotional issue, find a quiet time to talk about the problem and to work together to brainstorm solutions.  You may also need to begin a regular bedtime routine, including a regular bedtime and nightly rituals such as story time, snack, or quiet time.  Finally, your physician may request that your child undergo a sleep study to diagnose or rule out physical causes such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome. I know I will be calling my children’s doctor first thing Monday morning to schedule an appointment.

Pin It

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in our society.  Children are consuming less healthy foods and maintaining sedentary lifestyles.  According to the Mayo Clinic’s web site, complications of excess weight in our children can include the following problems, among others:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Asthma and other respiratory problems
• Sleep disorders
• Eating disorders

Physical ramifications are discussed often in the news and among clinicians; however, the emotional side of overeating in children is often ignored.   Being overweight can lead to such emotional issues as insecurity, depression, and behavior problems.  On the flip side, stress and worry can actually lead to the overindulgence that causes weight gain in kids.

My home state of Pennsylvania has launched a new campaign called “All About Weight” to over 1000 middle schools across the commonwealth.  The program focuses on the all too often overlooked emotional roots of issues related eating.  Students can go to the web site TeenCentral.net to learn about health eating, nutrition, lifestyle changes, as well as the emotional factors that lead to weight problems.

We, as parents, can help our kids identify and deal with weight-related problems by:

• Encouraging them to openly discuss feelings
  
• Shopping for mostly healthy foods and beverages
  
• Seeking help from your pediatrician if you are concerned about obesity
• Making efforts to improve diet and exercise as a family

There are many factors to consider when trying to determine if your child is at a healthy weight.  Take a look at your child’s body frame, your family history of obesity and related health problems, your child’s eating habits, as well as his or her activity level and overall health.  Most importantly, don’t forget to address the impact emotional issues can play in your children’s physical health.

Pin It