Why is a child afraid to sleep alone?
The reason for refusing to fall asleep without parents may be a habit or a banal whim of a baby spoiled by a loving mother, but often children's fears are quite justified.Find out why children are afraid to sleep alone and help them overcome their 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.
Don't scold your child for not wanting to fall asleep alone. If you find out the real reason for his fears and help him cope with them, he will realize that he has grown up and should sleep separately.
What to do when a child is afraid to sleep alone
The first thing you should do is talk to your baby and find out,what or who scares him. Take the conversation seriously and don't laugh at his fears. Let him know that you're 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 children's room, becauseFor a child to want to sleep there, he must like his room. It is difficult for adults to understand why children are afraid to sleep alone, but we must not forget that you yourself once allowed them to lie down in your bed. Do not blame the baby for his fears, because it depends only on you how soon he becomes independent. Read more: