Sleep

Not getting enough sleep is common in school children. There are many reasons why children wake up during the night. Information in this section focuses on common sleep problems. You might like to also check the sleeping sound section, which includes tools for managing sleep problems. 

Young boy asleep in bed

© Jpcprod | Dreamstime.com - Young Boy Fully Sleeping In His Bed Photo

Problems Getting To Sleep

There are many reasons why children wake up during the night. Find out about some of the most common ones.

Bedtime Resistance

If your child stalls or refuses to go to bed at the right time, find out what you do to manage this bedtime resistance.

Delayed Sleep

How to manage delayed sleep depends on what's causing it - for example, bedtime resistance, anxiety or sleep associations. Find out what you can do if your child is going to bed later than they should.

Insomnia

Check out some strategies for managing insomnia in children. Good sleep habits are really important for children who have problems falling asleep (insomnia).

Night Terrors

Night terrors are scary to watch but usually harmless to children. The most important thing to do when your child has a night terror is to keep your child safe.

Nightmares

The best thing that you can do if your child has a nightmare is comfort them. Following most nightmares, your child will be reassured by a few minutes of comfort.

Nightmares & Night Terrors

Nightmares are bad dreams that are usually related to worries your child may have. Night terrors happen when children are only partly aroused or woken from deep sleep. They can be very frightening for parents and carers.

Night Waking Problems

There are many reasons why children wake up during the night - find out about some of the most common ones.

Restless Legs Syndrome

Children with restless legs have an uncomfortable feeling in their legs when trying to fall asleep. If your child has restless legs, find out how you can manage this.

Sleep & Anxiety

Anxiety is probably a common cause of difficulties settling to sleep at both the start of the night and overnight. Find out about strategies you can use to help your child.

Sleep Association

Sleep associations happen when your child learns to fall asleep with a certain object or activity. Changing sleep associations is all about teaching your child to fall asleep by themselves, without that object or activity.

Snoring Or Noisy Breathing In Children

Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep may be a sign that your child is having difficulty breathing. The medical name for this is obstructive sleep apnoea.

Sleep & Breathing Problems In Neuromuscular Conditions

Neuromuscular conditions are disorders of the nerves that control the body and muscles. Neuromuscular weakness can affect different muscle groups necessary for breathing. Even when there is no cure for a neuromuscular condition, there are ways to help manage breathing problems that may improve your child's health.

Positional Head Flattening In Babies

Positional head-flattening may happen if a baby lies with their head in the same position for a long time. Find out how you can help to prevent a flat spot developing in your baby.

Overnight Oximetry

An oximetry test measures the amount of oxygen in the blood and can be used to assess your child's breathing during sleep. 

Polysomnography Sleep Test

Polysomnography (PSG) is a special type of sleep test which provides the most detailed information about breathing problems during sleep.

Melatonin For Sleep Problems

Sleep problems are common in tamariki (children). In most tamariki, healthy sleep habits will sort out their sleep problems. If your child does need more help, using a medicine such as melatonin will work better if healthy sleep habits are in place.