Addressing Sleep Concerns
March 17, 2021
This week is National Sleep Awareness Week. Many parents have questions about sleep or sleep related behavior. Sleep can affect a child’s mental health, behavior and brain development. However, parents may not feel that sleep is a medical issue that should be included in the well-visit. You can help parents manage sleep concerns by always asking families about their child’s sleep and offering them resources and suggestions.
A few basic suggestions you can offer related to sleep:
- Put children to sleep drowsy but awake so they fall asleep in their crib or bed where you want them to stay asleep.
- Try and have physical activity during the day and avoiding screens closer to bedtime.
- Consistent bedtime routines
- Moving a bedtime to an earlier time often helps children sleep.
You can help be a champion and a resource for families. Addressing sleep issues at every well-visit can help assure that your children are well-rested and best able to learn and grow. For more information about sleep and other behavioral and developmental concerns, please visit this link. For age-specific guidance on sleep, please see the links below:
Read more about newborn sleep routines >
Read more about learning to sleep at 4 months >
Read more about learning to sleep at 6 months >