Why do some children sleep worse?

There is no simple explanation for why some children sleep worse than others. Research points to an interplay of biological, psychological and environmental factors.¹

Temperament

One of the most important factors is temperament. Children who are highly sensitive or intense tend to have greater difficulty winding down and falling asleep.² Temperament is largely innate and affects how the child reacts to the environment, how easily they can be soothed and how quickly they transition between wakefulness and sleep. Some children simply have a biological predisposition to sleep more restlessly, regardless of what parents do.²

Other biological factors

Neurological maturity, genetic variation and medical conditions such as reflux, allergies or eczema can all affect sleep. Children born prematurely may also have different sleep patterns.¹

Environment and change

Noise, light, temperature and sleeping arrangements play a role, as do changes in daily life such as starting daycare, getting a sibling or moving. These factors can both trigger and reinforce sleep difficulties.¹

Most children need help falling asleep

Studies using video monitoring show that independent sleep onset is the exception rather than the rule. At 3 months of age only about 17 % of infants regularly fell back asleep on their own after night wakings, and at 12 months half still needed parental help. The majority were also put down already asleep, showing that falling asleep at bedtime rarely happened independently.³

Sleep is not linear

It is normal for children who slept well for a period to suddenly start sleeping worse. Illness, teething or periods of new motor development can temporarily worsen sleep. Sleep is a process with progress and temporary setbacks, not a linear progression.¹