Sleeping is a crucial foundation for children's growth. Although they seem like they have endless energy and can carry on forever, even if they get tired, they just do not know how to regulate their energy. If you are someone who finds it difficult to decipher your child’s sleeping habits, you are not alone. Many parents struggle with sleep schedules and habits. However, not all these ‘habits’ are harmless. To help people understand the difference, Dr Christopher J Allen, MD, a double board-certified physician in sleep medicine and pediatric neurology, released a video. He addressed parents titling the video as ‘More Advice I’d give you as a sleep doctor for a decade to parents-If I wasn’t afraid of making you feel guilty’. What Does Your Child’s Sleeping Habits Reveal? In the caption of the video Dr. Christopher gave 10 truths about your child’s sleep and what it means for your child’s health. Inability to Fall Asleep Alone When a child "can't fall asleep alone," it means their nervous system hasn't learned to feel secure enough to relax. This is a sign their brain is still on guard, not a personality trait. They need calm connection, not just independence, to truly rest. The Myth of "Not Needing Much Sleep" Believing your child "doesn't need much sleep" is false. When a child constantly gets too little sleep, it changes how their brain manages emotions, stores memories, and produces growth hormones. Chronic under-sleeping actively rewires crucial body functions. The 2 AM Wake-Up Call That moment when your child crawls into your bed at 2 AM isn't simply seeking comfort; it's their anxiety signaling. Their brain is on high alert and hasn't achieved the deep rest needed to feel safe alone. They are actively seeking co-regulation. Ignoring Nighttime Breathing Issues Do not ignore snoring, gasping, or heavy sweating at night. These physical signs mean your child isn't getting enough oxygen, which scientific studies show disrupts healthy brain development and causes mood and behavior problems the next day. Falling Asleep Anywhere is a Red Flag A child who "falls asleep anywhere" is not flexible; they are exhausted. Nodding off easily in the car or on the couch is a serious sign of sleep debt, indicating their system is overloaded and can no longer fight fatigue. Screens and the Brain Screens before bed do more than just delay sleep; they teach the brain that intense stimulation equals safety. When you finally turn the screen off, the sudden lack of expected input often leads to a meltdown because the child feels exposed. Bedtime Routines Taking Too Long If bedtime takes more than 30 minutes, it's usually cortisol overload, not stubbornness. The child's stress hormone is high, meaning their brain is stuck in a stressful "marathon" state when it desperately needs to be calmed down and winding down to sleep. The Truth About Early Risers Early risers aren't just "morning people." They are often children whose internal body clock, or circadian rhythm, is out of sync. This misalignment is usually caused by late bedtimes and inconsistent sleep routines that confuse the brain. Fixing Bedtime Battles Reward charts and punishment won't solve bedtime battles. The true fix lies in creating nervous system safety. Regulation and connection are far more effective than punishment because a regulated child feels safe enough to relax into sleep. The Flaw in "Independent Sleeper" Goals The goal of creating an "independent sleeper" often pushes parents to chase control instead of connection. True, restorative rest happens only when a child's entire body and nervous system finally feel safe enough to fully surrender and let go into sleep.
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