Patient's question:
Hello: 5-year-old boy, the child has difficulty falling asleep. It takes 1-2 hours after getting into bed every day before he can fall asleep, and he dreams a lot. He often speaks in his sleep about the situations in his dreams, vividly and with sound. He moves frequently, kicks the bed, and when half awake and half asleep, he refuses to be covered, insisting on being completely asleep before being covered. Shortly after, he kicks it off again. Could the expert please tell if he is missing something?Doctor's answer:
Hello, children aged 3 to 6 who have difficulty falling asleep are mostly due to their high energy levels, as they enjoy running and chasing in spacious areas to release their abundant energy. However, some parents worry about their children getting injured, so they keep them indoors and limit their activities, reducing outdoor time during the day and leaving their ample energy with nowhere to go. As a result, these children are reluctant to fall asleep at night.Some children have difficulty falling asleep because their parents haven't created a quiet sleep environment for them. For example, if the room lights are very bright, or if adults are still working or talking inside the house while the child is sleeping... Generally, children are not easily affected by their environment, but for those who struggle to fall asleep, parents must pay attention to creating a sleep-friendly environment for them.
Children who frequently have difficulty falling asleep are often the result of not developing a regular sleep routine. Children aged 3 to 6 are at a stage where they are playful, curious, and have active minds. From morning to evening, they never seem to have enough to play. If they are ensured adequate activity during the day, they usually go to bed on time at night. Each child is different, so there should be no rigid rules for their sleep time. The more you force a child to sleep, the more counterproductive it becomes. Generally, children aged 3 to 4 should be guaranteed about 12 hours of sleep per day, while children aged 5 to 6 should be guaranteed about 8 hours of sleep per day.
For pathological insomnia, traditional Chinese medicine refers to it as "not sleeping." It is characterized by: light