What happens when your child doesn’t get enough sleep?
Nothing can beat the power of a good night’s sleep, whether it’s for adults or children. For babies and young children, however, it is even more important as it plays an important role in brain development, as well as all aspects of early growth and development. Sleep has been found to be a vital element and is a must for children to stay healthy, happy and energetic.
The results of not getting enough sleep
Lack of sleep or deprivation wreaks havoc on your child’s normal daily functioning. You may notice your child acting cranky and moody after getting less sleep, but that’s not all. In addition to behavior changes, there are also other side effects that can be very detrimental in the long run.
• Lack of sleep can manifest as problems with attention, memory, learning, and behavior.
• In children, especially before 41 months, it can manifest as increased impulsive hyperactivity. Children may also show lower cognitive performance.
• Sleep deprivation can also affect metabolism. As a result, your child may develop cardiovascular disease, obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes.
• It can also cause an energy imbalance as it affects cortisol, ghrelin, leptin, insulin and growth hormone levels. Some children also show emotional problems.
• For adolescents, it can lead to high-risk behaviors such as substance abuse, drowsy driving, and suicidal behavior.
Symptoms of not getting enough sleep
• Your child wants to nap often during the day.
• Your child yawns constantly
• Your child finds it difficult to wake up in the morning
• Your child lacks motivation, interest, and finds it difficult to concentrate and pay attention.
• After waking up, they want to go back to bed.
• They miss out on fun activities with friends or family just to go to bed.
• There are complaints from teachers about their child feeling sleepy or yawning non-stop at school.
A good night’s sleep is a prerequisite.
It is imperative that children, from babies to teenagers, get enough sleep every day. This also includes nap time in the. Families must work together to ensure that sleep becomes a priority.
The benefits of adequate sleep are endless. It keeps you more alert, active and relaxed. It can even affect temperament, personality, learning, and social behavior. Establishing a nighttime routine for your child is important so that once their head hits the pillow, your child falls into a deep sleep and wakes up refreshed and energized in the morning.