Many babies and young children have problems sleeping at first, but if children are not sleeping through the night by the age of two years they may have a sleep problem.
Sleep problems can include too little sleep, nightmares, sleepwalking or too much sleep. Children learn sleep patterns. They may be learning that waking at night is a good thing. Or their body clock may be disrupted. They may be napping too much in the daytime, have bedtime fears or fear being alone at night (this is a form of separation anxiety).
Sleep problems are very common. Most children have sleep problems occasionally. They are not serious and get better as a child develops and grows. However, if they don’t they need treatment. As well as being disruptive, they may interfere with a child’s learning and behavior. There may be an underlying cause, that could be physical or mental.
Michelle can provide strategies to help combat sleeping problems and, in extreme cases, referrals made to specialist services. Contact Michelle for more information.