A recently released poll by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospitals reveals more than 1 in 4 parents, or 27%, say their child has difficulty getting to sleep at night due to anxiety or worry. According to the study, 36%, or about 1/3, reported that their child does not completely sleep through the entire night and also wakes up crying or upset in the middle of the night.
The Mott Children’s Hospital Poll was conducted in February 2024 and interviewed 781 parents who have at least one child ages 1 to 6 years old. The study conducted a national sample and asked a variety of questions regarding bedtime routines.
Mott’s Children’s Hospital also reaffirmed that young children need adequate sleep to support their growth and development. Yet the study reveals that parents often find it challenging to get their child to both fall asleep and get a good night’s sleep as well.
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Most parents (90%) report that they do have some kind of bedtime routine to get their children to sleep better, such as: brushing teeth (90%), reading bedtime stories (67%), bathing (54%), having a drink of water (47%), having a snack (23%), turning off electronic devices (41%), praying (31%), talking about their day (23%), cuddling with a blanket or stuffed animal (47%), sucking a pacifier (7%), or sucking their thumb or fingers (6%).
47% of parents report that the child is alone in their own bedroom, or in a bedroom with siblings (21%), or in the parent’s room (22%) or sleep part of the night with their parents (10%).
There are other nighttime practices that parents share.
For instance, when it is time for children to actually fall asleep, 61% of parents say they leave a night light on. 14% say they crack the door open to let light in. 25% say they leave the room completely dark. 19% say they often or sometimes give their child melatonin to help with sleep.
There are parents who arrange the environment to get their children to sleep. Almost 40% of parents say they try to keep the room totally quiet, while others use white noise at night in the room (33%). Still others use soft music (15%) or a video or television show (13%) in the room to set a certain tone.
Parents gave reasons for their child’s sleep difficulties. 65% blame delayed sleep due to staying up to play. For 43%, noise from other rooms reportedly keeps children up. 36% of parents report that their child wakes up upset or crying. Some insist that the parent sleeps inside the child’s room (31%).
To remedy certain sleeping difficulties, parents report they give their children melatonin to aid in sleep (19%). Many parents seek help from the medical community about their child’s sleep problems (15%).
After interviewing other parents and community members, here are suggested ways for children and adults to get a night of better sleep:
- Avoid Caffeine, foods that contain caffeine like chocolate, and candy
- Exercise during the day
- Develop a bedtime routine
- Avoid long naps during the day
- Practice yoga, meditate, and mindfulness
- Listen to relaxing music
- Unplug from smartphones and computers, and screen time
- Read from an old-fashioned book
- Count your blessings and emphasize happy thoughts
- Use aromatherapy with essential oils
- Take a hot bath
- Journal a sleep poem
- Say a prayer of gratitude and peace
- Implement breathing exercises
- Make sure your mattress and sheets are comforting
- Have the room at least mostly dark
- Avoid nicotine
- Cuddle or hug someone
- Set the room a little on the cooler side
- Drink herbal teas without caffeine like chamomile
- Take a low dose of melatonin
- Consult a professional
- If you are hungry, have a light snack like a banana
- Don’t drink too much liquid so you don’t have to frequently use the restroom
Generally speaking, each person is different, so do what works best for you.
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