My child suddenly has trouble falling asleep, what can I do?
September 15, 2023 | 20,00 EUR | answered by David Schmitt
Dear Sir or Madam,
My name is Georg Weinert and I am reaching out to you because I am very concerned about my child. My child has never had any problems falling asleep before, but for the past few days, he has been having increasing difficulty falling asleep. He lies awake in bed for hours, tossing and turning restlessly, and just can't seem to find peace. This results in him being tired in the mornings and acting irritable and unfocused during the day.
I have already tried establishing different bedtime routines, such as reading a bedtime story or singing lullabies. I have also made sure that my child doesn't engage in stimulating activities in the evenings and goes to bed early. Unfortunately, this hasn't brought any improvement so far.
I am very worried about my child's health and well-being. I wonder if there could be any health reasons for this sudden sleep problem or if it might be just a temporary phase. Are there any specific tips or tricks that I can use to help my child fall asleep? What measures do you recommend to solve my child's sleep problem?
I thank you in advance for your help and advice.
Kind regards,
Georg Weinert
Dear Mr. Weinert,
Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise as a pediatrician. It is understandable that you are worried about your child having sudden difficulties falling asleep. Sleep problems in children can have various causes and it is important to take them seriously and seek solutions.
It is positive to hear that you have already tried to establish different bedtime routines. This is an important step in helping your child relax and fall asleep. If these rituals have not brought any improvement so far, it may be useful to take further measures.
There may be specific triggers causing your child's sleep problem. For example, stress, anxiety, or changes in routine could lead to your child having trouble calming down in the evening. It would be advisable to talk calmly with your child and find out if there has been any recent stress or if there are certain fears that make falling asleep difficult.
It is also important to ensure that your child gets enough exercise during the day and can tire themselves out sufficiently. Regular physical activity can help your child be tired enough in the evening to fall asleep more easily.
If your child's sleep problem persists and there is no improvement in sight, it would be advisable to make an appointment with a pediatrician or a sleep specialist. The doctor can rule out potential health causes and provide you with further tips and measures to help your child fall asleep.
In the meantime, you could try relaxation techniques such as autogenic training or progressive muscle relaxation with your child. A warm bath before bedtime or soothing herbal teas could also help your child fall asleep faster.
I hope these tips will help you and that your child's sleep problem will soon be a thing of the past. If you have any further questions or concerns, I am at your disposal.
Best regards,
David Schmitt
