Sleep Struggles: 1 in 4 Parents Report Child Anxiety at Bedtime

One in four parents characterize putting their young child to bed as challenging. These parents typically lack a bedtime routine, often leave a video or TV show on, and stay with their child until they fall asleep. According to a national poll by the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, many bedtime struggles arise from children's nighttime anxieties.

The poll surveyed 781 parents of children aged one to six and revealed that a consistent bedtime routine is vital for children’s physical development, emotional regulation, and behavior. Nearly 25% of parents reported that their child's sleep is frequently delayed due to worries or anxiety. A significant number of parents also mentioned that their child wakes up upset, moves to the parents’ bed, or insists that a parent stays in their room.

Many parents resort to immediate, comforting solutions, such as staying in the room until their child falls asleep or using melatonin, but these strategies can lead to long-term sleep issues. Sarah Clark, M.P.H., co-director of the Mott Poll, emphasizes the importance of establishing consistent bedtime routines and maintaining some boundaries to ensure both children and parents get adequate rest.

Common bedtime routines include brushing teeth, reading stories, and bathing. These rituals provide a sense of security, help children relax, and allow for bonding time. Less than half of parents also include activities like having a drink of water, turning off devices, praying, or talking about the day. Additional habits include holding a blanket or stuffed animal and sucking on a pacifier or fingers.

Clark highlights that a predictable bedtime routine not only makes the transition to sleep smoother but also reduces anxiety and promotes a positive emotional connection with bedtime. She advises winding down at least an hour before bed to help children prepare for sleep.

The sleeping environment plays a crucial role in a child's sleep quality. Less than half of the surveyed children sleep in their own bedroom, while others share a room with siblings or parents. Noise from other rooms disrupts sleep for more than 40% of children. Clark recommends that children have their own quiet and dark bedroom for optimal sleep.

Nightlights, white noise machines, and soothing music can help children fall asleep, but Clark advises keeping white noise machines at a safe distance and volume to avoid hearing damage. She also cautions against the routine use of melatonin for children due to unknown long-term effects and suggests consulting a pediatrician before use.

To help children manage nighttime anxiety, parents can allow extra time to discuss their day and offer reassurance. Instead of staying in the room, parents can check on the child periodically, which provides comfort without compromising sleep independence. Consistency in responding to nighttime awakenings is also crucial, whether that involves returning the child to their bed or allowing them to stay in the parents' room.

Transitions in sleep patterns, such as dropping naps, require gradual adjustments. Children aged one to two typically need 11-14 hours of sleep, including naps, while the recommended sleep decreases slightly for ages three to six. Difficulty falling asleep at night or resisting naps may indicate it’s time to adjust sleep routines. Other changes, like moving from a crib to a bed or starting school, can also affect a child's sleep, and gradual adjustments can help ease these transitions.