

More is not always better and if you ingest too much magnesium it can cause abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, and low blood pressure.

The recommended upper daily limit for older children and adults is 350 mg. A good dosage for most children ages 2 to 8 year old is 100 mg of magnesium at bedtime.

Magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system and may help to promote restful sleep. Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral and an essential nutrient. daisy) family it shouldn’t be given to anyone with an allergy to other plants in this family. Chamomile is generally considered very safe, but because it is in the Asteraceae (i.e. A small amount of honey can be added for children over 12 months old to make the tea even tastier. Chamomile tea is readily available from many grocery and natural health stores. It is the perfect herb for cranky infants and children who can’t settle down enough to fall sleep. Historically, it has been used to treat everything from colds, teething pain, colic, indigestion, restlessness, anxiety, and irritability. If changing your child’s bedtime routine isn’t enough to help them sleep, here are five of my favorite natural treatments that may help: ChamomileĬhamomile ( Matricaria chamomilla, Matricaria recutita) is my favorite all around herb for kids. The 5 Best Natural Sleep Remedies for Kids Combining nutrients in this way helps to prevent the highs and lows in energy and mood that can come from sugary and processed foods. Some examples you might try are carrots and hummus, whole-wheat toast or crackers with peanut butter, or apple slices with almond butter. If your child needs an evening snack, try something that includes complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. Sugar and caffeine have a stimulating effect on the body and can lead to hyperactivity in kids. Instead of spending time on electronics, taking a bath and reading bedtime stories can help your child to relax and get ready for sleep.Įating or drinking things with sugar and caffeine in the evening can also make it difficult for your child to sleep soundly. This is because the blue light that is emitted by electronics causes the body to delay release of melatonin, the hormone responsible for making us sleepy at night. Watching television or using computers or tablets before bed can make it much harder to fall asleep easily. To help your child get a better night’s sleep it’s essential to have a relaxing evening and bedtime routine. Lack of adequate sleep also increases the risk for obesity and metabolic syndrome, which in turn are risk factors for developing heart disease and Diabetes. In fact, they often become more hyper and irritable when they’re overtired, which can make it much harder for them to fall asleep and stay asleep. When kids don’t get enough sleep they don’t necessarily act sleepy the way that adults do. 7 out of 10) of kids are not getting enough sleep at night, which can negatively affect their daytime behavior and school performance. Negative Health Effects of Not Sleeping EnoughĪn astonishing 70% (i.e. On the other hand, children who go to bed after 9:00 p.m. often take longer to fall asleep, wake more frequently during the night, and end up sleeping less overall. Children from infancy to school-age seem to sleep better when they fall asleep between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. The timing of when kids fall asleep can make a big difference in sleep quality. According to the National Sleep Foundation within a 24-hour period is infants should sleep 12 to 15 hours, while toddlers need 11 to 14 hours, preschoolers need 10 to 13 hours, school-aged children need 9 to 11 hours, and teenagers should be sleeping at least 8-9 hours every night. How Much Sleep Do Kids Really Need?īoth sleep quality and quantity are important, because this is the primary time when the body rests and restores. Up to 50% of kids will experience sleep issues during childhood. Insomnia is unfortunately common in people of all ages and it effects about 20% (i.e. Does the idea of your child sleeping through the night feel like a frustrating daydream? Most parents struggle with bedtime at some point in their kid’s lives.
