Child Having Trouble Sleeping at Night? Learn the Causes and How to Address Them
Children who have difficulty sleeping at night not only overwhelm their parents. In terms of development, a child's lack of sleep will affect many aspects of their life. Children are at a higher risk of obesity, their academic abilities may decline, and their emotions can become less stable and more prone to stress.[1]
So, what are the reasons children have difficulty sleeping at night? And how can we address them so that your little one can sleep soundly? Let's find out here!
Causes of Children's Difficulty Sleeping at Night
Difficulty sleeping at night or frequently waking up during the night affects around 20% to 30% of preschool children.[2] Here are some of the causes:
1. Separation Anxiety from Parents

Children who are used to sleeping with their parents will have difficulty sleeping if they have to sleep separately from them. They may start crying, screaming, or clinging to their parents when they are about to be left to sleep alone.
2. Inadequate Fruit Consumption

Research shows that inadequate fruit consumption can trigger sleep difficulties in children aged 9 and older.
What makes fruit special? Fruit contains bioactive compounds that can reduce inflammation in the body and help alleviate sleep-related breathing disorders, thereby improving a child's sleep quality.[2]
3. Uncomfortable Bedroom and Unconducive Environment

A comfortable sleeping environment, free from noise, with a room temperature that is neither too hot nor too cold, greatly supports sound sleep. However, if a child's bedroom is messy or exposed to noise such as sounds from the street, this condition will make it difficult for the child to fall asleep.
4. Excess Energy

If a child is not active enough during the day, for example, not playing with friends or participating in school activities, their energy will not be fully utilized. This leaves them full of energy at night, which ultimately makes it difficult for them to sleep.
5. Excessive Computer or Phone Use

Children's difficulty sleeping at night can also be caused by the habit of spending too much time playing with computers or phones.
The light emitted from the screen can disrupt the production of melatonin, which helps the child's body understand when it is time to sleep and wake up. This disruption to their internal clock will make it difficult for your little one to sleep at night.
In children aged 6 to 14, researchers found that those with less screen time tended to have 90% better sleep quality. Not only that, these children also performed better at school, with an average grade of A or even A+.
Conversely, children who spend more time in front of screens tend to have poor sleep quality and average academic performance.[3]
6. Health Problems

Another reason children have difficulty sleeping at night and are fussy is an illness they are currently suffering from. In addition to aches, fever, or a blocked respiratory tract, health problems can also make children more vulnerable to psychological issues, which directly affects their sleep quality.
Furthermore, taking certain medications such as cold, cough, or diuretic medicines can also trigger insomnia as a side effect, making it even harder for children to fall asleep.
How to Help Children Who Have Difficulty Sleeping at Night
To help your child fall asleep faster and no longer wake up during the night, here are some solutions you can try:
1. Create a Comfortable Environment for Your Child

Make your child's bedroom a comfortable place to rest. Choose a bedside lamp with soft lighting, provide a softer pillow to increase comfort, and ensure the room is free from outside noise by adding soundproofing.
2. Limit Screen Time

To prevent blue light from devices from disrupting your child's biological clock, set a rule to stop playing with phones, computers, or watching TV before bedtime. Ideally, stop screen activities at least 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime, as recommended by scientists.[4]
3. Improve Your Child's Diet

How can children fall asleep easily at night? In the long term, you can improve your child's diet. Add vegetables, fruit, and low-fat foods to their menu.
In addition, avoid high-fat and high-carbohydrate foods. Research shows that consuming these types of food can cause sleep duration to be shorter. Yet children need around 9 to 12 hours of sleep.[5]
4. Apply Sido Muncul Minyak Telon Plus Tiga Anak

What should you do if your child has difficulty sleeping at night? You can try applying Sido Muncul Minyak Telon Plus Tiga Anak.
The warmth of this telon oil provides a comforting sensation that helps your little one fall asleep faster and more soundly. In addition, the distinctive scent of eucalyptus oil in it will also create a soothing aromatherapy effect, making the body more relaxed and supporting quality sleep.
Let's celebrate International Children's Day by helping children fall asleep faster and more soundly. Let's try Sido Muncul Minyak Telon Plus Tiga Anak to address children's difficulty sleeping at night so that their growth is optimal and undisturbed!
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