Getting your child to sleep through the night is a major goal for most parents, but it can be reassuring to know that there are actually some benefits to all those sleepless nights. However, it’s important to be aware of why your child is waking up and when this could be a problem. Some issues such as sleep apnoea can be very serious and need to be managed by a doctor.

Sleep Apnea in Child

Why Can Waking Up at Night Be Good for Children?

None of us actually sleep all the way through the night. We usually wake up a few times, but we fall asleep so quickly and easily that we don’t realise it happened or remember it in the morning. When children wake up during the night, it can be a little bit more dramatic. Babies and young children often need something when they wake up and they haven’t yet learned how to get back to sleep by themselves.

  • Newborns and babies need to feed during the night as their stomachs can’t hold enough to keep them going.

  • Nappy changes can also be vital during the night so that babies can sleep comfortably and avoid rashes and irritation.

  • Waking up during the night to use the bathroom can be essential to prevent bedwetting in children.

  • Babies can get some extra care and attention from their parents when they wake up during the night, which can help with bonding and development.

  • Although we don’t yet understand why, babies who wake up a lot during the night often go on to become brighter and happier children.

When is Waking Up at Night a Problem?

Waking up during the night is very normal for babies and children, but it can sometimes be a problem:

  • While you shouldn’t expect a baby or toddler to get back to sleep by themselves, school age children should be developing this ability. Changing your bedtime routine and sleeping space could make a big difference.

  • Children who often wake up with nightmares may be feeling stressed or upset about something. Take some time to talk about what’s going on and how they’re feeling.

  • Night terrors and sleep walking are usually a temporary issue that shouldn’t have any lasting impact on your child, but make sure they are safe if they’re getting out of bed.

  • Bedwetting can be embarrassing and upsetting for children, but it is quite common. Changing drinking habits, bladder training, and getting them up in the night to use the bathroom can help.

Do you have any other tips for helping your child to feel better after an infection?

Professor Parviz Habibi Available At

The New Malden Diagnostic Centre

171 Clarence Avenue, Surrey, KT3 3TX

The Portland Hospital Out Patient Centre

205-209 Great Portland, Street London, W1W 5AH