When children are sleep deprived

Sleep is a state of unconsciousness in which the brain is more responsive to internal than to external stimuli. When you are sleeping the brain gradually becomes less responsive to visual, auditory and other environmental stimuli during the transition from wake to sleep.

Sleep requirements for kids vary depending on the age of the child, and from child to child. New born children sleep for 16 to 18 hours a day, but when a child grows his sleep requirement decreases. When a child turns one, he sleeps for 12 hours or more. Five to ten year-olds needs nine to eleven hours sleep and at ten a child requires nine to ten hours of sleep. As we approach teenage and adulthood, our requirement comes down to about eight or nine hours.

 Children have sleep- related problems due to some diseases, which prevent them from sleeping. The most common cause of disturbed sleep or no sleep is ear pain, fever, nose block, chest congestion, fever, pain due to injuries and some times even hunger. The external problems are hot or cold sleeping environment, noise, insect bites, etc. Unhealthy eating habits leading to overeating or obesity is another cause for lack of sleep in the night. Psychological problems such as stress, fear, insecurity can also lead to lack of sleep for kids in the night.

 On an average most school going children sleep for about seven hours which is very less as compared to the requirement of ten hours of sleep. “This lack of sleep amongst children which is a very common scenario these days affects their health as well as their behaviour and emotional well being. This some times leads to mood swings, bad temper and poor performances in school and other activities like sports and elocution,” says child specialist, Dr. Nayna Chatterjee.

 It is high time parents realize the importance of sleep in a child’s routine. Kids today have become scheduled slaves. After school they go for tuitions, hobby classes and their days are completely packed up with activities which leave them with very little time for sleep. Sleep of a child is as important as good nutrition, exercise and studies.  Parents often do not realize the importance of proper sleep. It is now time for them to cut down  on unnecessary activities. Children are not mini robots and they require good quality and quantity of sleep for their development.