Sleep Diary For Kids
A sleep diary can be helpful in establishing if there’s any pattern with your children’s sleep issue. For instance, it might identify if there’s difficulty going to sleep on a Sunday night because of anxiety about school.
As a parent it can give you something proactive to do especially if you think your child has a sleep issue and there are no available appointments or support. It can be a good way of recording data and having information to hand should you need to present to a GP or health professional.
Tips for using a sleep diary:
- Complete it honestly – there is no judgement!
- Needs to be kept for 2 weeks to look for patterns
- Keep by the bed to make it easier to fill in. It can be hard to remember details the next day.
- If your child sleeps elsewhere e.g. other parent, grandparents or respite make sure they fill it in too
- Don’t use it if it feels overwhelming
Things to check
- Average number of hours sleep per night (but remember all children do not need the same amount)
- How long it is taking to fall asleep (shouldn’t take longer than approx. 15 mins)
- Length of bedtime routine (should be around one hour)
- How your child is going to sleep e.g. with a parent, downstairs etc
- Do they seem sleep deprived e.g. lethargic next day, emotional, hyperactive
- Time they wake each morning
- Any different patterns at weekends?
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