Many child sleep problems are caused by the child getting overtired due to their parents missing their sleep windows or misunderstanding their sleep signs.
This is a key principle in sleep for children and adults. If we stay up past the time we are tired our bodies produce cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones stimulate the body and mind, giving us a second wind which interferes with the quality and length of sleep. A second wind can make it more challenging to fall asleep, disturb sleep cycles, and often causes early waking in children.
You may have heard of parents who put their children to bed late on a Friday night hoping the child will sleep later on Saturday morning, but they end up waking up extra early. This is due to cortisol and adrenaline release.
To avoid your child getting a second wind, watch the child’s sleep signs closely.
Early sleep signs may be zoning out or staring off into space, clumsiness, clenched fists, and facial contortions. These usually occur 5 to 20 minutes before the advanced signs so you can have some time to get you child ready for bed and tucked in before they get their second wind.
Advanced sleep signs include yawning, rubbing eyes and crabbiness. By this time they should be in bed, and ready to fall asleep.
Children 4 months to 6 years old should be going to bed between 6pm and 8pm and should not be awake for too long an interval during the day to avoid a sleep disturbing hormone rush.
Andrea Strang is a Certified Gentle Sleep Coach and Child Sleep consultant and trainer. She and her team offer sleep consultations, workshops and support throughout Canada and the US. For more information visit: www.HowToGetKidsToSleep.com
This was a great topic and a great speaker!
ReplyDeleteterrific suggestions to watch for - Andrea is really knowledgeable!
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