4 Consequences Of Late Bedtime For Children

In order for children to have no developmental difficulties, it is essential to ensure that they get good quality sleep. This habit is as important as a good diet.

The late bed of children on a daily basis is detrimental because it has a negative influence on their general development. In this sense, it is important to remember that good rest is as important as nutrition. 

Although it may seem obvious, there are parents and guardians who do not take it much into account, for various reasons. However, it is true that the modern way of life greatly influenced this situation.

With parents busy at work, busy school schedules, and excessive use of electronic devices, rest hours have inevitably been reduced.

What is more worrying is that many are unaware of the consequences of putting their child to bed late. While skipping naps or going to bed late seems harmless, it actually has negative effects that can last a lifetime.

Why is it so damaging? What can you do to improve it? Here are some tips to prevent children from going to bed late and to promote their well-being.

Why is it important for a child to sleep well?

Good rest, with the hours needed depending on the age of the child,  is one of the greatest sources of energy for the body. This allows them to recharge the brain’s batteries for optimal mental performance throughout the day. Thus, after a good night’s sleep, the child’s mind is alert and calm.

On the other hand,  sleep also affects physical abilities,  according to various surveys. On the other hand, sleep also affects physical abilities. By resting, the muscles release themselves from the tensions of the day and are ready for the challenges of the next day. This, of course, is the key to school activities, sports or their fun activities.

What does it mean to have healthy sleep?

Healthy sleep doesn’t just mean keeping your child from staying up late. A good rest  has the  following characteristics  :

• A sufficient period of sleep (not less than 10 hours)
• Uninterrupted sleep
• The number of naps adapted to the age of the children
• A sleep schedule that synchronizes with the child’s circadian rhythms (internal clock)

If for some reason any of these items are missing, symptoms of sleep deprivation can be triggered. The good news is that there are several steps or habits that can help you get back into the right rhythm.

Consequences of late bedtime in children

One of the biggest drawbacks for parents who care for their children is getting them used to sleeping early so they can get a good night’s sleep. With so many distractions these days, kids are getting more and more reluctant to go to bed.

Failure to pay attention to this issue could adversely affect their development and growth. Although it doesn’t seem to have significant effects, poor sleep can be the root of many future problems.

1. Difficulty concentrating

Poor quality sleep and late bedtime in children have several negative effects on children’s mental health. Not getting enough sleep makes him less alert mentally and prevents him from concentrating on activities that require it.

Often, lack of sleep is the cause of inattention in their school activities, according to various studies. Also, it can make him less active and more lazy.

2. Drowsiness

Late sleep can be the cause of daytime sleepiness. By not getting the proper rest period, they experience more fatigue and the desire to sleep during the day.

In this sense, various studies link daytime sleepiness to the development of behavioral and concentration problems.

3. Feeling tired

Drowsiness goes hand in hand with the feeling of fatigue. Children can have episodes of weakness and fatigue from poor sleep.

In addition, they sometimes fall into a state of hyperactivity or anxiety which later can lead to more difficult to resolve sleep disorders.

4. Risk of obesity

Poor sleeping habits and late bedtime in children can thus increase the risk of childhood obesity. This is suggested by the results of several scientific studies.

Getting the child to bed late, or allowing the child to get a short sleep, can be a risk factor for overweight and obesity, especially if it is accompanied by other bad habits, such as sleep  patterns. sedentary life.

How to improve a child’s sleep habits?

Children need parental advice to develop good habits. In fact, some research suggests that sleep patterns are usually learned in the first few months of life, so parental work in this regard is essential.

It is necessary to start monitoring their sleep patterns, considering that ideally they should go to bed between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Whenever possible, these good habits should be adopted by the whole family. It is easier for the child to understand that he needs to rest when his parents and siblings are also willing to get enough sleep.

In addition, so that there is no interruption of sleep, it is necessary to guarantee an adequate place of rest, free from distracting elements such as televisions, computers or tablets.