Sleep is crucial for children’s physical and mental development.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, infants (4 to 12 months) should sleep 12 to 16 hours per day, including naps; toddlers (1 to 2 years) should sleep 11 to 14 hours, including naps; and preschoolers (3 to 5 years) should sleep 10 to 13 hours per day, including naps. Unfortunately, many children struggle with falling or staying asleep, and one of the reasons for this is a scary element that robs them of their sleep.

Nightmares

Nightmares are vivid and upsetting dreams that interrupt children’s sleep and make them scared or anxious.

They tend to occur in the second half of the night during REM sleep, and can be triggered by stress, anxiety, trauma, or even a scary movie or story. Some common themes of nightmares in children include monsters, ghosts, animals, natural disasters, accidents, and separation from parents or loved ones.

Night Terrors

Night terrors are episodes of intense fear or panic that happen during deep sleep, usually in the first few hours of the night. They can last from a few minutes up to an hour, and involve screaming, sweating, thrashing, and confusion.

Unlike nightmares, night terrors are not related to dreams, and children usually have no memory of them in the morning. Night terrors are more common in preschoolers, and can be caused by stress, sleep deprivation, fever, or medication.

Sleepwalking

Sleepwalking is a parasomnia that occurs during non-REM sleep, usually in the first few hours of the night.

It involves getting up from bed and walking around, sometimes performing complex movements or activities, such as opening doors, climbing stairs, or even leaving the house. Sleepwalking can be dangerous, as children are not fully aware of their surroundings and can hurt themselves or others.

It is more common in children with a family history of sleepwalking, and can be triggered by stress, sleep deprivation, fever, or medication.

Sleep Talking

Sleep talking is a common parasomnia that occurs during any stage of sleep, and involves talking, mumbling, or whispering while asleep.

It can be a sign of normal sleep behavior, or a symptom of a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea or REM sleep behavior disorder. Sleep talking is harmless in most cases, and children usually outgrow it by adolescence.

Sleep Anxiety

Sleep anxiety is a fear or worry about going to bed or falling asleep, and can cause children to resist bedtime, have trouble falling asleep, or wake up frequently during the night.

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It can be triggered by various factors, such as separation anxiety, school-related stress, learning difficulties, or a traumatic event. Sleep anxiety can develop into a chronic sleep disorder, such as insomnia or delayed sleep phase syndrome, if left untreated.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes breathing interruptions during sleep, due to a partial or complete blockage of the airway.

It can result in snoring, gasping, or choking during sleep, and may cause daytime sleepiness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Sleep apnea is more common in overweight or obese children, and can be diagnosed and treated by a sleep specialist.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes an irresistible urge to move the legs, especially at night or during periods of inactivity.

It can result in discomfort, pain, or tingling sensations in the legs, and interfere with sleep quality. Restless leg syndrome is more common in children with a family history of the disorder, and can be relieved by medication or lifestyle changes.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden sleep attacks, and loss of muscle tone (cataplexy).

It can also cause vivid hallucinations during sleep onset or upon awakening, and disrupt the normal sleep-wake cycle. Narcolepsy is rare in children, and can be diagnosed and managed by a sleep specialist.

Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that causes difficulty falling or staying asleep, or waking up too early and being unable to fall back asleep.

It can be acute (lasting a few nights) or chronic (lasting more than three months), and can have various causes, such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain, medication, or lifestyle habits. Insomnia can be treated with behavioral or pharmacological interventions, depending on the severity and underlying causes.

Sleep Hygiene

Sleep hygiene refers to the habits and practices that promote good sleep quality and quantity.

Children who have good sleep hygiene are more likely to fall asleep easily and wake up refreshed, and less likely to experience sleep disturbances or disorders. Some tips for improving sleep hygiene in children include:.