The effect of sleep on babies and children is greater in children than in adults. Inadequate sleep affects their ability to learn, relax, and even their growth. Recent studies have shown that when children learn to sleep better, they eat better, their mood improves and their intellectual ability increases. Extensive scientific research has helped us understand what happens to the brain and body during the various sleep stages . But we don’t have answers to all our questions yet; Strangely enough, we don’t yet know why we actually need
sleep . However, what we do know from our daily experience is that we cannot live without sleep . Sleeping is a vital function and has a major influence on our physical and mental performance. After a good night’s sleep we are rested and alert and can take on the challenges of the new day. A poor night’s sleep, on the other hand, means that we cannot concentrate properly and that we have no energy to carry out our daily activities. And especially for parents, these activities are numerous.
The effect on babies and children is even greater. Inadequate sleep affects their ability to learn, relax, and even their growth. Recent studies have shown that when children learn to sleep better, they eat better, their mood improves and their intellectual ability increases.
Children who sleep more perform better in life
Anyone who has ever had to wake a baby or child from a deep sleep knows the disadvantages of insufficient rest. Babies often respond to this by being restless, whining a lot and being difficult to soothe; they may indicate that they want to be fed, then fall asleep during the feeding and wake up again half an hour later – still restless. Toddlers who don’t sleep enough often become impatient, hangry and irritable and have a poor appetite. This can have a snowball effect because an overtired baby or child, as contradictory as this may sound, has more difficulty falling asleep.
If it goes on long enough, the child’s learning and development can be affected. Although it is noticeable at a young age, it is most noticeable when the child goes to school. A recent study by the American Sleep Foundation shows a direct link between sleep deprivation and poor academic performance. It also showed that many children lack two hours of sleep per night.
When children learn to sleep well, their mood, behavior and performance improve quickly and significantly. Because their mood often improves noticeably, they become easier to get along with, both indoors and outdoors. Educators reported that when children get more sleep, their concentration and effort in class increase and they feel more at home at school.
Your night’s sleep is also important
The effect of sleep deprivation is not limited to your children. The irregular sleep pattern of a baby or toddler also leads to sleep deprivation for the parents. If you have to be constantly available at night for restless little ones, you may feel like you’re constantly suffering from jet lag, without the holiday snaps to compensate.
One of the reasons you want your children to sleep may be because you sleep better too. Don’t dismiss this as selfish. When you are rested, you can handle your children better. You will gain more self-confidence in your role as a parent and this will lead to a happier child. The effect can reach much further. When a baby or child’s sleep problem is resolved, the whole family can feel better.
Sleep for a lifetime
A child who learns to sleep well at an early age is not only immediately rewarded psychologically and physically, but also learns habits that will serve him throughout his life. Psychologists have shown that people who had poor sleeping habits as children are more likely to experience sleep problems in adulthood. This can seriously hinder their ambitions and functioning. Some people can get by on very little sleep, but these are exceptions.
If children learn to sleep well, this is not only to the benefit of concerned parents. These children also develop a habit that will serve them in their teenage years and later adulthood, when they need the energy and clarity of an alert mind and rested body. Good sleep is the basis for a healthy life.
Why young brains need sleep
The sleeping brain is not at rest, but is busy processing the experiences of children while awake. Dream sleep , or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep , improves the child’s learning ability by increasing blood flow to the brain, with the following results:
- They become more alert.
- They are better able to remember things.
- Their senses become sharper and their cognitive ability increases.
- The brain is better able to process information.
Why young bodies need sleep
When babies and children sleep, they spend more time than adults in the light sleep phase ( non-REM sleep ). During this phase, the body recovers and various essential tasks are performed.
- More blood is sent to the developing muscles.
- Because cells divide more quickly, growth tissue is repaired.
- Vital hormones are released for growth and development.
- White blood cells are produced, which support the immune system.
