The importance of sleep for children – Sleep is always a concern for young parents. Not only do sleeping habits change when a new member of the family is born, but the child’s sleeping patterns also have to adjust after birth. Researchers long ago discovered that sleep is not only necessary for rest, but also has a major impact on the development of the youngest children. That’s why it’s vital for parents to ensure that their children have good sleep hygiene. The best quality mattresses, dark, quiet rooms and close proximity help children to get the rest they need.
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How long should children sleep?
We can’t generalise about children’s need for sleep. Just like adults, each child has a very individual sleep requirement. Age, of course, also plays an important role in children’s need for sleep.
Infants
Babies need a lot of sleep, spread throughout the day and night. Up to the age of three months, babies sleep around 14 to 17 hours. From the fourth month onwards, babies need around 12 to 15 hours’ sleep, with the majority of sleep now spread out over the night.
Young children
Between a year and a year and a half, children should sleep at least 14 hours, while sleep patterns continue to decline in small steps. With the start of nursery school, the need for hours of rest remains constant and fairly high. Nursery school children should sleep around 13 hours.
Schoolchildren
Once children have started school, they should still sleep ten to eleven hours a night. However, parents need to take account of the child’s individual needs. While some children have to get up earlier because the journey to school is longer, others can stay in bed a little longer and get much better rest. This too needs to be taken into account in sleep hygiene.
Why is it important to get the necessary hours of sleep?
As we all know, if we’ve had a long evening and a short night, we feel exhausted the next day. Children, too, find lack of sleep unpleasant. Sleep is the only way for a child to regenerate and find strength for the hours ahead. The immune system can also rest and develop defences if they get enough sleep.
Children learn new things every day, and sleep allows the brain to assimilate new impressions and create new connections that consolidate what they have learned. It is mainly during the deep sleep phase that new knowledge is consolidated and assimilated.
What are the sleep problems in children?
Sleep doesn’t always go as planned in the youngest children. There are various problems that can disrupt restful sleep.
Problems falling asleep
After an exciting day, children simply can’t rest and fall asleep. Parents need to find an individual way to help their child get a good night’s sleep.
Nightmares / night terrors
Children wake up with a start from their sleep and then can’t rest. The brain often processes impressions from the day in a strange way, which is why nightmares recur.
What can parents do to help their children sleep better?
Parents are responsible for their offspring’s sleep hygiene and, with a little help, can help them get a good night’s rest. The Montessori bed is, of course, just one way of doing this.
Routine
For babies in particular, sleep is all about routine. It’s important for them to have a set bedtime ritual so that they can fall asleep more easily.
Creating a pleasant atmosphere
A darkened bedroom, at the ideal temperature, and a calm environment all contribute to restful sleep. For babies, it is essential that parents follow the safety instructions on cot death.
Sleep comfort
A good children’s mattress should be breathable, so that children don’t sweat too much while they sleep. It should also be washable and have the optimum firmness for the child’s size and weight.