Respond to Your Child's Night Wakings
It is a myth that any child -- or adult for that matter -- sleeps through the night. Everyone experiences sleep cycles that range from a light sleep to a deep sleep. Each cycle lasts 50 to 60 minutes, and your child is more likely to wake up during the light part of the sleep cycle, according to the University of Michigan Health System. There are several reasons a child might awaken in the middle of the night, including fears, sounds, the need to use the restroom or because of a medical issue like a cold or other sickness.
Instructions
Establish firm boundaries with your child about how to handle when she wakes up in the middle of the night. If your child tends to wander into your bed at night, talk about how she needs to spend the whole night in her bed, even if she wakes up several times during the night. Avoid allowing your child to fall asleep with you in the room, with a light on or with a security blanket, if the comfort item is not likely to be present when the child awakens at night, according to Jodi Mindell, author of "Sleeping Through the Night: How Infants, Toddlers, and Their Parents Can Get a Good Night's Sleep," as quoted on the Baby Center website. For example, if you leave a light on to help your child fall asleep, but turn the light off before you turn into bed, your child might not be able to fall back asleep if he wakes up in total darkness in the middle of the night. If your child needs a light on to sleep, leave it on all night. Offer comfort if your child awakens in the middle of the night with a nightmare, but do not allow your child to come to bed with you. Calmly walk your child back to bed and offer a back rub or kisses, but make sure that she knows that she has to stay in her own bed for the rest of the night. Talk with your child about the reasons he wakes up at night and listen to his concerns. If he is uncomfortable at night with a medical issue, visit your pediatrician to work out a solution. If a fear of something is bothering him, work out a plan to tackle the fear. Stay consistent. While it might seem easier to allow an upset child into bed instead of getting out of bed yourself in the middle of the night, you might soon regret the routine you are establishing of allowing her to sleep in your bed. Develop a reward system for a full night in her own bed with a sticker chart to earn prizes, special trips or a coveted toy. Previous:How to Help Children Fall Asleep with a Water Fountain Next:How to Get Rid of the Monster Under the Bed or in the Closet
