Learn about Sleep problems in children symptoms from Consumer Reports Health.

Sleep problems in children

What are the symptoms of sleep problems in children?

Your child may find it hard to go to sleep or stay asleep at night. Some children go to sleep but are disturbed by nightmares, night terrors or sleepwalking.

Not all children who occasionally wake at night or who make some fuss about going to bed need treatment. Doctors say a child may have a sleep problem if the child has one or more of the following symptoms.

Source:
Minde K, Faucon A, Falkner S.
Sleep problems in toddlers: effects of treatment on their daytime behaviour.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 1994; 33: 1114-1121.

They wake up three or more times a night on at least four nights a week.
They wake up for more than 20 minutes every night.
They have to be taken into the parents' bed to sleep.
They refuse to go to sleep, and it takes you more than 30 minutes to get them to bed (they have a tantrum about going to bed) or they need a parent with them to fall asleep.

Sources for the information on this page:

Minde K, Faucon A, Falkner S.Sleep problems in toddlers: effects of treatment on their daytime behaviour.Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 1994; 33: 1114-1121.

This information was last updated on May 12, 2009

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