Back to School Sleep Problems in Kids

When it’s time for kids to go back to school, many parents discover that their children start having issues with sleeping. While in some cases this is just due to laxity regarding bedtime during the summer break, it could be a signal that they’re struggling with deeper issues.

At SLENT, with locations in Mandeville, Slidell, and Hammond, Louisiana, our otolaryngology specialists can help with insomnia, helping identify if it’s caused by changes in schedule or something more serious.

How much sleep school-aged children need

Kids in school need a certain amount of sleep to be functional during the day. So how much sleep is enough?

Every kid is different, but on average:

Preschoolers aged 3-5 years need about 10-13 hours of sleep every night
Elementary and middle-school kids aged 6-13 years need 9-11 hours sleep time
Junior high and high school teenagers aged 14-17 years need 8-10 hours shut-eye

Too little sleep, and kids can have problems with both cognitive and physical activities, and their attention and behavior can suffer, as well.

Common sleeping problems in school-aged children

Kids can have various types of sleep issues that surface when it’s time to go back to school. These can include:

Insomnias

Insomnias are problems with sleeping, such as:

Trouble falling asleep in the first place
Trouble staying asleep at night
Trouble with waking up too early

Insomnias can be caused by or made worse by parasomnias.

Parasomnias

Parasomnias involve abnormal behaviors during sleep, such as:

Bedwetting
Nightmares/night terrors
Sleepwalking
Teeth grinding

Your child could have insomnia due to being afraid to go to sleep because of parasomnia, or because of waking frequently or waking up early due to parasomnia.

Organic sleep disorders

Certain types of sleep disorders are organic, meaning they’re caused by an underlying health condition or symptom. The most common include:

Restless leg syndrome
Sleep apnea
Snoring
Sweating

In many cases, resolving an underlying health condition can completely resolve your child’s unhealthy sleep habits.

Ways to help your child’s sleep schedule

Seeking professional help can start you down the road to answers about your child’s difficulty in getting enough sleep to function during the school day. Additionally, you can help them by following this back to school routine:

Several weeks before school starts, begin walking bedtime back a little at a time
Cut off access to screens an hour before bedtime, replacing with reading or quiet play
Don’t allow sugary or caffeinated drinks starting four hours before bedtime
Set a good example with your own sleep hygiene to encourage your kids

Are you having trouble getting your kids on track for early morning schoolday wake-ups? We can help. You can schedule a consultation at SLENT by calling 985-327-5905, or visit our contact page today.