Sleep deprivation can hurt your child. Every function and organ of his or her body are affected because of sleep. Difficulty catching zzz’s always can lead to bigger problems.
Poor school performance or learning ability
When the mind is in a haze, it’s difficult for children to learn new knowledge or skills. Your kid will lag behind his learning ability and will be overwhelmed with too much information. The result can turn to tantrums and meltdowns which will affect his attitude development.
Child obesity
Destroying your kid’s body clock will slow down his metabolism and the way his body burns fat. Therefore, your child will grow big. It can also put them at risk for heart disease or diabetes. It slows down a couple of hormones that regulates the body system too.
Impede growth development
Growth hormones are released in the body during a sleep period. Lack of sleep would hamper your child’s development which results in stunted growth.
Lowers immunity
Sleep makes children strong because of interleukin-1 released during sleep periods. Interleukin-1 boosts the immune system, which protects them from germs and bacteria.
Brings negative behaviors
Sleep deprived kids tend to be more impulsive and irritable. This attitude will stick around if they don’t get enough rest.
Developed mental orders
Insomnia in children may lead to anxiety and depression. It will increase the stress hormone to rise and would later bring an impact on how kids face certain situations.
Fatigue
Your child will be feeling a lot more sluggish than usual and would want to lie down or sit still. Even by doing that, he or she will feel tired, despite not doing any activity at all.
Clumsiness
A sleepy child will be prone to accidents more than kids who are well rested. Mainly because they have difficulty in concentrating, therefore, it leads them to be prone to accidents.
Taking long naps
Excessive periods of sleep does not mean your child is getting enough sleep! Long naps are a symptom of being overtired and sleep deprivation.
Sudden death
It may be hard to believe, but extreme sleep deprivation can lead to sudden death – and that’s including infants, toddlers, or in general, children.
How to encourage your child to sleep?
Finding it too difficult to have your kid sleep at night? Try these tips which may help your child sleep better:
The number of hours your baby needs each day can vary by age. Newborn babies mostly sleep all day, while toddlers can get away with sleeping 11 to 14 hours and as they grow up they need less sleep. Talk to your doctor if you have questions or if something worries you about your child’s sleeping patterns.
Sarah Clark is the woman behind GiantMommy.com who provides parents and expecting mothers that ‘eureka’ moment in their lives when dealing with pregnancy and babies. When she’s not writing her blog, you can find her playing with her baby or cooking and reading magazines. You can get all your practical guides at her site or maybe form a community of mommies there!
