Try to treat kids'' insomnia without medication
06/09/2011
Reaching for the medicine cabinet is not the only way in which kids' insomnia can be treated, one expert has said.
Sleep disorders are common in children, with many of them behavioural rather than medical, noted Dr Rhonda Patt, a paediatrician with Charlotte Paediatric Clinic.
By promoting good sleep hygiene, youngsters can head to their children's beds in the best possible mind-set for dozing off.
This may involve establishing consistent sleep and wake times, she told the Charlotte Observer, as well as avoiding light stimulations such as TV and computers late into the evening.
Dr Patt also advised making sure that kids do not have caffeinated drinks and that they are aware of where the boundaries lie when it comes to bedtime.
A recent study carried out by the Sleep Council and the Better Sleep Council found that many parents in the UK do not realise how important a good mattress is for their child to be able to rest properly.
Posted by Elizabeth Mewes
