The fragility of children's sleep patterns in the early years of development often presents subtle challenges for family life. Mothers who understand this are those who have to hold their breath while their children are asleep, for fear that even the slightest sound will break the silence. Every slight movement of a family member, whether it is a peaceful conversation, a gentle step, or a gentle closing of the door, must be carefully controlled, because the insignificant sound is enough to wake up a sleeping child. Although this phenomenon of "light sleep" is not a serious sleep disorder, this constant caution is undoubtedly a psychological and emotional torment for mothers.
This is vividly illustrated by a mother I recently met in my community. Her child, who is about the same age as my Mozai, is three years and three months old, and she told me about her troubles: the child has been extremely sensitive to sleep since birth, and the light closing of the door, the slight sound of the bed, and the almost negligible sound are enough to wake the child from sleep. This situation makes every time you fall back to sleep a draining task.
Similarly, another friend of mine had a child who showed extreme light sleep traits before the age of six, and even the slightest sound of snorting melon seeds disturbed his tranquility. In addition to being sensitive to sound, light is another influencing factor. If the room is too bright, it will be difficult for the child to sleep, and the child will only be able to sleep peacefully if the curtains are drawn tightly and the room is dark.
Children who sleep lightly often experience fragmented sleep, resulting in decreased sleep quality. Although nighttime sleep is relatively less susceptible to external influences due to the effects of the biological clock, daytime rest tends to become brief and shallow due to minor stimuli.
In family life, the presence of a light sleeper often means that the rest of the family must be extra careful during their sleep to the point of not daring to speak loudly, and the volume must be turned to the lowest when watching TV to avoid any action that could trigger a crashing sound.
Why do children experience sleep sensitivity? This question can be interpreted from multiple perspectives.
First, we need to understand the phenomenon of excitation of the Morrow reflex. The Morrow reflex is one of the neural reflexes inherent to every newborn that works in conjunction with other primitive reflexes to provide the baby with a degree of self-protection. When this reflex is stimulated, the baby will suddenly stretch out his arms and legs, briefly stiffen, followed by arms around his arms, straighten his legs, and begin to cry, the whole reaction is similar to being frightened. This reflex usually begins to disappear when the baby reaches three to four months of age, but it may last longer in some children.
Second, some children may be naturally sensitive to changes in their environment, which may be a sign of neurological traits. This type of child is more sensitive and intense in response to external stimuli and takes longer to acclimatize, not just during sleep.
In addition, family environment, parenting style, and even genetic factors can all have an impact on a child's sleep patterns. Some families may unconsciously develop a light sleeping habit because they focus too much on quietness, while in others, children may develop a strong ability to adapt because they are used to falling asleep with all kinds of noise.
Finally, it is crucial for parents facing this challenge to adjust their parenting strategies. Learning how to relax your emotions and cope with your child's sleep problems with peace and positivity can help alleviate the situation. At the same time, try some bedtime relaxation techniques, such as bedtime stories, soft music, or deep breathing exercises, to help your child fall asleep at a deeper level. Of course, if these problems persist, seeking the help of a professional children's sleep consultant is also a viable option.