Sleep plays a crucial role in a child’s development as it is an important building block for their mental and physical health. It has a direct effect on a child’s overall wellness, as research shows that sleep can impact their alertness and attention, cognitive performance, mood, resiliency, vocabulary acquisition, and learning and memory. In toddlers, napping is necessary for memory consolidation, executive attention, and the development of motor skills. What’s more, sleep crucially affects their growth, especially in early infancy.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) estimates that 25% to 50% of children and 40% of adolescents are affected by sleep problems, such as:
- A new sibling
- Teething
- An illness, such as the cold or an ear infection
- Sleeping in a different place
- A new caregiver
- A change in schedule
- Allergies
In addition to these sleep problems, a significant number of children also suffer from sleep disorders at some point. Sleep disorders are connected to mental and physical issues, with one amplifying the other in a pattern that can be difficult to stop. The most common sleep disorders in children include:
- Sleep apnea
- Snoring
- Nightmares and night terrors
- Sleepwalking and sleep talking
- Restless leg syndrome
Another reason why children aren’t getting enough sleep is that they aren’t sleeping for the number of hours recommended. According to research data released by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) from their 2026 Sleep in America poll in March of this year, 44% of children in the U.S. do not consistently get the recommended amount of sleep for their age. Younger children especially fall short.
In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looked at the sleep behavior in middle and high school students and found that around 60% of middle school and 73% of high school students were getting less than the recommended 9-12 hours a night for children 6 to 12 years old and 8-10 hours a night for children 13 to 18 years old.
Several issues have been discovered as the contributing factors of why children within this age group aren’t getting the recommended amount of sleep, including:
- The use of electronic devices
- Changes in their internal clocks
- Early school start times
- Caffeine consumption
A child’s daytime habits also affect sleep. To promote restful sleep for a child, you can follow these sleep hygiene rules:
- Keeping a regular bedtime
- Arranging a balanced schedule with alternating moments of rest and play
- Creating a no-screen zone in the child’s bedroom, even during the day
- Providing them with a healthy diet
- Setting the thermostat at a slightly cooler temperature
- Using dark curtains to block out light, or a nightlight if they’re afraid of the dark
- Keeping the bedroom quiet, or using a white noise machine to block out outside sounds
- Avoiding caffeine, large meals, and sugary snacks before bedtime, choose a healthy bedtime snack instead
Practicing good sleep hygiene can help your child get into a consistent bedtime routine and help them sleep better.
If your child is having trouble sleeping, you can receive treatment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.