It is estimated that a quarter of children have insomnia symptoms of some kind.

This frightening percentage needs a special review of how parents treat children's sleep problems.

According to the results of a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics, 43% of children who showed symptoms of insomnia, suffer from sleep disturbance in their twenties and thirties.

Lack of sleep for children .. What are the risks?

Babies need more hours of sleep than adults. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies need up to 16 hours a day in infancy;

and up to 12 or 13 hours a day in preschool through primary school completion, and up to 10 hours a day in adolescence.

Sleep touches every aspect of children's health, from the function of their immune system to their ability to pay attention, act, and cognitive achievement. Children who don't get enough sleep have behavioral problems as well as academic underachievement.

A recent study also shows the importance of children getting enough sleep for their mental development that lasts for many years.

Therefore, the state of insomnia that a child suffers from during sleeping hours cannot be a normal problem, as it may be linked to complex disorders caused by sleep apnea.

But sleep habits also play an important role. Things like changing bedtime schedules, using a screen for special hours before bed, or even eating very late in the evening can affect children's ability to fall asleep or stay asleep for hours on end.

The state of insomnia that a child suffers from during sleeping hours cannot be an ordinary problem (Getty Images)

Finding the reasons

Child sleep experts say that bedtime resistance is common for young children, especially preschoolers, such as asking for a glass of water, urging parents to tell a bedtime story, or asking unexplained questions just because they want to talk, but it can be a sign of Something more serious.

Pediatrician Dr. Krupa Blyforth tells HuffPost that resistance to sleep carries the following warning signs for parents:

  • Obvious change in sleep pattern that persists for more than two weeks (interrupted sleep or fewer hours of sleep).

  • Snoring or other breathing changes during sleep.

  • Excessive fatigue during the day.

  • Mood, social, or other changes in your child's ability to function, interact with others, and day-to-day academic achievement.

Playforth explained that often, parents do not feel that they should seek help with problems related to sleep or behavior, because they think that they should be able to manage these problems on their own, but if it becomes recurring for long periods, then parents should seek help from specialists.

"Children may benefit from simple changes to their routine or they may need more intensive interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy strategies specifically aimed at treating insomnia," she said.

As the study showed, insomnia will not go away on its own, as the habits that children establish when they are young can have a lasting effect on their ability to get enough sleep.

Turn off TV and video games at least one hour before bedtime (Getty Images)

Tips to improve your child's sleep

If your child resists sleeping for hours, without a valid reason, then you should follow the following tips to create a suitable environment for sleep:

  • Set a regular bedtime every night, which doesn't change around holidays.

  • Create a relaxing bedtime routine, such as giving your child a warm bath or reading a story.

  • Do not give children any food or beverages containing caffeine less than 6 hours before bedtime (such as soft drinks).

  • Make sure the temperature in the bedroom is comfortable and the bedroom is dark.

  • Make sure the noise level in the house is low.

  • Avoid giving children large meals near bedtime.

  • Keep the playtime after dinner quiet without a lot of movement, because excessive activity near bedtime can keep children awake.

  • There should be no TV, computer, mobile phone, radio or music while the baby is sleeping.

    Television and video games should be turned off at least one hour before bedtime.

  • Babies and children should be put to bed when they look tired but are still awake (rather than sleeping in your arms or in another room).

  • Avoid sleeping with your baby in order to make him sleep.