Sometimes, I answer calls from potential clients on the road with my spouse. I try to stay clear of it because I prefer to keep my work phone separate from my personal life. (And since I’m practically available to my clients by texting 24 hours a day and as long as that I’m not sleeping!) There have been times in the past, I’m sure my client has asked me why I don’t talk about the advantages of sleeping in order to at “land an existing client.”
First, I want my clients to choose me as a consultant because they believe in me and my approach. They also feel confident to go to sleep. I don’t want convince them “convince” that they are ready. I also try to avoid discussing the advantages of sleeping since the list is extensive enough to easily make parents feel ashamed for choosing not to train their children at night.
What is an Independent Sleeper?
I am convinced that as parents particularly mothers, we’re doing the best job we can. I don’t would like to be the one who makes parents feel guilty about their choices in parenting.
After all at last I must admit the fact to you that teaching your children to become an independent sleeper is a huge advantages. What exactly is the definition of an independent sleeper? A sleeper who is independent…
1.) The ability to fall asleep fully awake
2) alone,
3) without an swaddle or paci,
4.) inside a crib
5) and be able to completely fall asleep on their own
6) Without any assistance or communication from you
7.) for all nap times and at time of bedtime
The reason it is so important that your child is an independent sleeper is due to these reasons
It is common for people of all ages to awake all night long as they transition from one cycle of sleep one to another. If your child isn’t able to know how to switch from being awake to asleep completely independently and then they wake up eagerly seeking assistance to return to sleep. This kind of sleep disruption is extremely harmful. Research has shown that a fractured sleep, each night for 2 hours over an average night of 8 hours of sleep, can be as harmful to your body as never going to sleep in the first place.
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The physical benefits of sleep
We will first focus on advantages of physical sleeping for children and the negative effects of sleep deprivation. Children need adequate time to sleep to develop long- and short-term memory. They also need to quickly absorb all the new experiences they encounter each day (think learning to speak and cognitive). Children who aren’t getting enough sleep have a greater risk of being overweight and also have depressed immune systems. It doesn’t matter if your baby is breastfed, babies are more susceptible to infections they’re experiencing at first. Lack of sleep can increase the risk of them develop illness.
As children and infants sleeping through the night helps protect the heart from heart diseases later on. It is because sleep interruption can cause cortisol levels to stay in the evening, putting children at risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.
Children and toddlers who do not get enough sleep are more prone to accidents (to to say nothing of parents driving around in the daytime). Research has shown that children who were not getting enough rest were much more likely to be diagnosed suffering an injury that requires medical attention. In addition, children who have difficulties sleeping in preschool have a higher chance to display symptoms that suggest ADD and ADHD before they reach elementary school. But, the experts aren’t in the dark about whether certain children actually have ADHD or ADD, or if they’re just sleep deficient.
The cognitive and emotional benefits of Sleep
The physical effects of sleep deprivation aside, we’re all aware how sleep deprivation affects kids’ moods. Children (and adult) who lack sleep suffer from anxiety and decreased the ability to control impulses. It’s more difficult for children to follow and listen to the instructions if they’re tired or stressed. Simple everyday tasks like taking off shoes or putting on the car seat can become a battle. This is not even considering the distraction that can take over when you are trying to master something new. In fact, sleep deprivation is linked to an increased risk of depression among adults. This means that kids who don’t get enough sleep struggle to be as joyful and content in the daytime as they would if they had sufficient rest.
Sleeping insufficiently affects almost every aspect of a child’s or toddler’s lives. The day-to-day life of a toddler within their bodies and outside, can be negatively affected if they’re not sleeping enough. The good news is that it’s not too late to help your child master the art of sleep, get back to sleep quickly through in the evening, and also take regular naps throughout the daytime.