Are Sleep Problems In Children With Cerebral Palsy Keeping You Awake?
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It’s not uncommon to encounter sleep problems in children with cerebral palsy (CP). When people talk about CP, they understand that they’re dealing with a condition that affects coordination, movement and posture. It’s caused by damage to someone’s brain before, during or after their birth. No two persons get affected the exact same way. For some, the effects of sleep problems in children with cerebral palsy can be quite mild while for others they’re pretty severe.
Getting Familiar With Sleep Problems In Children With Cerebral Palsy
Dealing with sleep problems in children with cerebral palsy for parents can be a tough task. Kids with cerebral palsy, like most children, are born with differing capabilities to calm themselves. Sleep can be either easy or difficult to manage depending on the kids’ ability to shift from alert to relaxed states and then on to sleep.
Setting up routines like having relaxing baths, reading stories, singing lullabies or music, rhythmic or slow rocking, a firm touch along with the warmth that comes with being held or swaddled, comforting talks, and drinking juice or milk can make it easier to establish regular bedtime regimens. They also make addressing sleep problems in children with cerebral palsy easier to accomplish as calming distressed kids in the middle of the night is less stressful with the help of established routines.
Sleep problems in children with cerebral palsy might persist over time. As these kids get older, they can develop separation fears as they feel quite helpless when they want to get up and reach for their parents should they ever need anything. Checking on them frequently at night gives them the reassurance they need and can significantly reduce their worries. Some families coping with sleep problems in children with cerebral palsy have found baby monitors and intercoms extremely handy.
Kids suffering from spastic or hypertonic (having very stiff or tight muscles) CP often get themselves in positions that are highly uncomfortable. If they’re not able to get themselves out of the position, they probably won’t sleep well. To solve these types of sleep problems in children with cerebral palsy, parents need to make sure that they go to bed in positions that minimize spasms.
In some cases, drugs are used to manage sleep problems. These meds slow brain functions and can be habit-forming. Kids can become highly dependent on them. More calming natural alternatives would be lemon balm or chamomile tea, lavender flowers or oil of lavender. For more information on handling sleep problems in children with cerebral palsy, check out CP sites on the Internet.
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