A good sleep is heavenly. What more could we ask for than a deep sleep after a tiresome day? We might have often noticed that our body feels unusually grumpy and worn out when we don’t grab enough sleep. Though mostly sleep is related to laziness, it holds a lot of importance in a human being’s life. Did you also know that toddlers need more sleep than adults? The growth and development of a kid greatly depends on the quality of sleep he gets. It has been proven that children who do not sleep well or get interrupted sleep remain poor performers in their daily activities.

The science behind sleep:

Sleep is based on the circadian rhythm which is the regular sleeping and waking up of the brain. A sound sleep supports the development of brain which sleeps and wakes up based on the availability of sunlight basically. This dark and light rhythm develops only after a period of growth and that is why new born babies have a very irregular sleeping pattern. It takes time to develop and after almost six months of growth, the child spends most of the time sleeping. A continuous lack of good sleep will result in a sleep disorder called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Maintaining a routine:

It is essential to follow a bedtime routine religiously which should include a fixed time to go to bed.

Other factors to be considered are:

• Cleaning or bathing before going to bed which includes brushing teeth for oral care
• Using best Bedding with comfortable cot and bed.
• Wearing comfortable bedtime clothes
• Relaxing without any disturbing thoughts
• Have a quiet and dark atmosphere ideal to go to sleep
• Ensure that you or children do not watch any device before going to bed as it keeps stimulating the brain not allowing it to rest

Sleep disorders in children:

Children may develop sleep disorders due to disturbed sleep or lack of sleep.Watch out for these

symptoms:

• Children often get nightmares which may make them really disturbed for days together. It should be taken care that children are put to sleep well in a comfortable atmosphere away from devices like mobile or television.
• Sleep walking is another disorder amongst children between the age group of 4 to 8 years. There is no practical treatment as most children tend to outgrow it. Make sure that you have a safe home.
• Tonsils, adenoids, obesity may lead to sleep apnea which is a serious medical problem in children. Though it is treatable when attended at the right time, it disturbs sleep in children and in turn impacts the development of a child.

Survey says that nearly 37% of children in their early ages suffer from sleep related problems.

The best way to eradicate such problems is to strictly adhere to a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy, avoiding junk food, minimizing unnecessary usage of screen devices like television, mobile phones and tablets, exercising for at least 20 minutes every day is the secret to sleep well sound and be active throughout.