The holidays are coming soon and your child already seems tired? Maybe he doesn’t get enough sleep, night after night. However, lack of sleep, if it becomes chronic, can have harmful consequences on its development. Here are the signs to spot to correct your rhythm.
A sleep time to be respected for everyone
According to official recommendations, toddlers up to 2 years old should benefit from 11 to 14 hours of sleep. 3 to 5 year olds get 10 to 13 hours of sleep and 6 to 12 year olds get 9 to 12 hours of sleep.
In practice, it is sometimes more complicated. “Just like for adults, the number of hours of sleep is still dependent on the individual. thus evokes Dr Sandra Brancato, pediatrician and president of Afpa.”That is to say, even in children, we will have small sleepers and heavy sleepers. Likewise, everyone, depending on their age, does not have the same way of expressing lack of sleep.”
Signs to look out for at home and at school
- So in very young children non-verbal, this can manifest itself by an increase in crying times, annoyance, a grumpy temperament. But also meals less well eaten. “Little ones can suckle less well when they haven’t had enough sleep. It’s a message that isn’t always very well received.” however, underlines the pediatrician. Because the parents then try to calm the child… when he seems to just need to be put to bed.
- In older children, this will manifest itself more through behavioral problems, agitation, living a little “on their nerves”. But also emotional over-reactions, more frequent phases of opposition. “Children who are upset in the evening are not hyperactive. But tired.” Finally, the pediatrician also mentions a meal eaten less well in the evening, due to sleep;
- During the day and at school also, fatigue can be felt and signs appear. “These are children who are less efficient at school, more withdrawn, and who tend to doze off at the end of the morning, especially from middle school onwards when they no longer have a nap” the doctor lists. In class, the child is less concentrated and less available for learning.
Fatigue in children, a problem when it becomes chronic
Unfortunately, peaceful nights are never guaranteed. “We need to put things into perspective.” replies Dr. Brancato. “A child who misses two hours of sleep occasionally, because he was sick or had a difficult night, is not a problem. He will naturally make up for his lack. The problem is when the lack becomes chronic.”
So, when bedtime is constantly delayed, when lack of sleep is repeated every week, or when weekends regularly tire the child, problems can appear. Attention disorders, learning disorders, mood disorders… are signs of a child who needs to be brought back into the right rhythm.
“This involves putting bedtime rituals back in place, reassuring the child, and avoiding delaying sleep. During the week, on weekends and on vacation, a child must sleep at the same times. recalls the pediatrician.
What if it was sleep apnea?
Finally, if fatigue persists despite a sufficient number of hours of sleep, another avenue should also concern you: that of sleep apnea, as pediatrician Anna Boctor also reminds us. “It’s important to keep in mind, because sleep apnea is not at all rare in the pediatric population. And it often explains why sleep quality is poor.”
Thus, in many children, obstructive causes can quickly prevent them from breathing well at night. These are adenoids, too large tonsils, which cause micro-awakenings throughout the night and do not allow you to recover well.
Several signs can put you on the path and invite you to consult an ENT quickly.
- A child sleeping with his mouth open. “Apart from a cold, a child should normally sleep with their mouth closed” restores Dr. Boctor;
- A loud snoring, which can be heard when the door is closed;
- Sometimes even the perception of apnea.
Sleep apnea also affects concentration
In the case of sleep apnea, the expert points out, the child is difficult to get out of bed, even after 12 hours of sleep. He also observes the same signs as a child lacking sleep: change in behavior, irritability, difficulty concentrating, etc. The pathology can also be confused with ADHD with which it shares several symptoms. Important information to know when you have questions about your child’s concentration.
“In any case, sleeping with your mouth open, combined with other symptoms, can explain fatigue. And you should check this with a competent doctor.” insists Dr. Boctor.
In cases of proven sleep apnea, the response in children is simple: minimally invasive surgery, to reduce the obstruction and allow them to return to peaceful nights.