Why is the child afraid to sleep alone
The reason for the refusal to fall asleep without parents may be a habit or a banal whim of a kid spoiled by a loving mother, but often children's fears are completely justified.
Find out why children are afraid to sleep alone, and help them overcome fear. Photo: Getty If a child is afraid to sleep alone, the following factors may be to blame:
- Fear of change. Baby used to sleep in the arms of his mother and feel protected, and now it is scary and incomprehensible why it is prohibited.
- Increased activity. Games before bedtime lead to over-stimulation of the nervous system. The child cannot sleep for a long time, and at night he has nightmares.
- Rich fantasy. Any rustle or creaking of the door stirs the child's imagination, and the kid wants to cling to the one who protects him.
Do not scold the child because he does not want to fall asleep alone. If you find out the true cause of fears and help your child cope with them, he himself realizes that he has already grown up and needs to sleep separately.
What to do when a child is afraid to sleep alone
First talk to the baby and find out thator who scares him. Take the conversation seriously and do not laugh at his fears. Let him understand that you are on his side. You can help your child get used to his own bed in the following ways:
- Attention and care. During the day, give the baby enough attention, play and develop his abilities, then he will stop waiting for the night to get parental love.
- Evening ritual. Come up with a special ritual of laying and teach him a child. An hour before bedtime, active games end, you need to drink a glass of warm milk, change into your pajamas, wash your face and say good night to everyone.
- Night light Any source of soft light that penetrates the room will help the baby gradually overcome the fear of darkness.
- Symbol of protection. Come up with a thing or a toy that will “protect” the child from the “monsters”; it will be quieter for him to sleep with it.
- Pets. The kid will not feel lonely if in his room to put an aquarium with fish, to get a kitten or birds.
Pay special attention to the interior of the nursery, becauseso that the child wants to sleep there, he must like his room. It is difficult for adults to understand why children are afraid to sleep alone, but one should not forget that you yourself once allowed them to go to bed. Do not blame the child for his fears, because only it depends on you how soon he will become independent. Read further:
