Sleep is a vital need, essential to a child’s health and growth.  Children who get enough sleep are more likely to function better and are less prone to behavioral problems and moodiness. Sleep is important especially in growing and developing children. Sufficient sleep is an important part of healthy child development. A child needs to get at least eight hours of sleep every day, including during the weekend, in order to function properly.

Children often have sleep problems. Children with sleep problems are more likely to be inattentive, hyperactive, impulsive, and display oppositional behaviors. There are often simple solutions to solving a child’s sleep problems.

Here are some tips to help your child to sleep better at night:

• Follow a consistent bedtime routine. A bedtime ritual makes it easier for your child to relax, fall asleep and sleep through the night.
• Turn off the television and video games. Don’t put a TV in your child’s room, and if a toy is too tempting to ignore, remove it from the bedroom as well. You should make bedtime a positive and relaxing experience without TV or videos. Studies have found TV viewing prior to bed can lead to difficulty falling and staying asleep.
• Some children cannot sleep when they’re thirsty. If your child needs water to drink in the middle of the night, leave a sippy cup on the nightstand.
• Make sure your child isn’t hungry some children can’t sleep when they’re hungry. But make sure bedtime snacks are healthy and light. At bedtime, do not allow your child to have foods or drinks that contain caffeine.
• If your child has a problem of bed wetting, then you should see a pediatrician for suggestions on how to handle the issue without allowing your child to become dehydrated.