The child who will not sleep

Abstract

Sleep problems affect up to 40% of children in the first eight years of life. Most problems are behavioural in origin (eg refusing to go to sleep or waking frequently during the night) and as such are often amenable to behavioural interventions. Behavioural interventions such as graduated extinction (controlled crying) and adult fading (camping out) have been shown to be effective and acceptable to parents. Interventions should be tailored to individual families and address family's goals. Most families will benefit from a discussion about good 'sleep hygiene' that is setting and maintaining a constant bedtime, ensuring bedrooms are a media free zone, and avoiding caffeinated drinks and food..