How to spot a sleep problem

February 21, 2025

Is Your Child’s Sleep Struggle a Sign of Anxiety?

As parents, it can be tough to know whether your child’s sleep troubles are just a phase or part of a bigger issue—like anxiety. Occasional restless nights are normal, but if sleep disruptions become persistent, anxiety could be playing a role.

Here’s how you can identify if your child’s sleep struggles are linked to anxiety and what you can do to help.

Signs That Anxiety Might Be Affecting Your Child’s Sleep

Worry-Filled Bedtimes

Does your child seem particularly anxious as bedtime approaches? If they frequently express fears—whether about the dark, being alone, or an upcoming event—these worries could be keeping them from settling down to sleep.

Anxiety During the Day

Sleep troubles are often just one part of the puzzle. If your child seems overly worried and follows you around the home, even if you’re just answering the door or getting a cuppa. If they won’t spend any time in their bedroom during the day unless you’re with them. If they’re irritable, restless, or have trouble concentrating during the day, their anxiety may not be limited to bedtime.

Frequent Requests for Reassurance

Children struggling with anxiety may ask repeatedly for reassurance about their safety at night. They might insist on sleeping with a parent, leave their bed multiple times, or make frequent excuses and delay bedtime with questions e.g., “What’s the solar system?” or “Why did the dinosaurs die out?”

Physical Complaints at Night

Anxiety can manifest as physical symptoms. If your child often complains of stomach aches, headaches, or other discomforts right before bedtime, it could be a sign of underlying anxiety rather than a physical illness.

Struggling Even in a Comfortable Sleep Environment

A quiet, dark, and cosy bedroom is ideal for sleep. But if your child continues to have difficulty sleeping despite a well-set-up sleep environment, anxiety may be interfering.

Exhaustion and Daytime Impact

If your child’s sleep struggles are leading to daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or losing interest in activities they usually enjoy, it’s important to dig deeper into the root cause.

Recent Changes or Stressful Events

Has your child recently experienced a big change—like moving house, starting a new school, or a family transition such as divorce or a new sibling? Significant life events –“Life Quakes” can heighten anxiety, making it harder to sleep.

How Parents Can Help

If you suspect your child’s sleep struggles are linked to anxiety, there are steps you can take to support them:

Create a Calm Bedtime Routine – Gentle activities like reading, soft music, or a few minutes of quiet conversation before they start getting ready for bed can help ease bedtime stress.
Encourage Open Conversations – Let your child talk about their worries. Set aside some time every evening that’s special 1:1 time with you to give them a chance to discuss their concerns. Giving space to their thoughts earlier in the evening means they’ve been aired and given time now, rather than when your child is tucked up in bed. Reassure them that feeling anxious is normal, and help them find ways to manage those feelings.

Teach Relaxation Techniques – Deep breathing, guided imagery, or progressive muscle relaxation can help children unwind before bed. See my blog on relaxation techniques that can help children with bedtime anxiety
Limit Screen Time Before Bed – The alerting effect from using phones and handheld devices can disrupt sleep and increase anxious feelings. Try switching to calming activities an hour before bedtime. See my blog on the impact of screens on your child’s sleep.
Seek Professional Support if Needed – If sleep troubles persist and anxiety is significantly affecting your child’s daily life, a paediatrician or child psychologist can provide valuable guidance and support.

Additional Support for Parents

If your child continues to struggle with sleep due to anxiety, consider looking into:

Parenting workshops on anxiety and sleep
Books and resources on childhood anxiety
Support groups for parents
Sleep consultations with professionals who specialise in children’s sleep

In my series of blogs, I will explore:

If your child’s sleep struggles are linked to anxiety, you’re not alone—many families face the same challenge. With the right support, your child can develop healthy sleep habits and feel more secure at night. We’ve helped hundreds of families navigate bedtime anxiety, and we’re here to help you too.

Please get in touch today to find out how we can support your child’s journey to better sleep

Written by Mandy Gurney February 2025

November 28, 2024

Helping Families Sleep Better: From Babies to Teen

At Millpond Children’s Sleep Clinic, we understand that sleep challenges can feel overwhelming, affecting not just your child, but the entire family. Whether you’re dealing with sleepless nights with a newborn, bedtime battles with a toddler, or a teenager who can’t seem to fall asleep before midnight, we’re here to help.

But what sets us apart from other sleep consultants?

We Are Health Professionals with 30 Years of Experience

Our team at Millpond consists entirely of experienced health professionals, including health visitors and midwives. With over three decades of expertise, we bring a deep understanding of child development, family dynamics, and the science of sleep.

We Identify Underlying Medical Issues

Sleep problems are often more complex than they seem. Many families come to us after trying countless sleep strategies that haven’t worked. In some cases, unresolved sleep issues may be linked to underlying medical conditions, such as:

Allergies or intolerances causing discomfort and disrupted sleep.
Reflux or digestive issues that make it difficult for your baby to settle.
Sleep apnoea in children or teens, leading to restless nights and daytime fatigue.
Developmental or sensory challenges that impact sleep routines.

Our healthcare experience allows us to recognise these potential issues and guide families in seeking the right medical support alongside our sleep solutions. If necessary, we work closely with paediatricians and other healthcare professionals to ensure a holistic approach to your child’s sleep.

Tailored, Evidence-Based Sleep Solutions

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all approaches. Every child or young person is unique, and so are their sleep needs. We create personalised sleep plans that consider your child’s/young person’s age, temperament, and any medical or developmental concerns.

Support for Every Stage of Childhood

We support families across all stages of childhood, from newborns to teenagers:

Babies: Establishing healthy sleep habits and managing night wakings.
Toddlers: Addressing bedtime resistance, early rising, and transitions like moving from cot to bed.
School-aged children: Managing anxiety-driven sleep issues, night terrors, and settling problems.
Teenagers: Dealing with delayed sleep phase syndrome, the impact of screen time on sleep, and stress-related sleep disruptions.

Why Choose Millpond?

We offer gentle, evidence-based solutions that respect your parenting style.
Our team combines healthcare expertise with a genuine passion for helping families thrive.
We empower parents with the knowledge and tools to maintain healthy sleep habits long-term.

If your baby/child or young person is struggling with sleep, don’t wait.
Sleep is essential for your child’s health, development, and well-being—and yours too.
Let us help you get the rest your family deserves.

Contact us today and take the first step towards better sleep for everyone.

February 16, 2024

How to Improve Your Child’s Sleep with a Sleep Diary

Understanding and Improving Your Child’s Sleep Patterns

Do you know when and how long your baby or child sleeps both during the day and at night? Are you aware of the factors that influence or interfere with your child’s sleep patterns? Do these patterns repeat consistently over days or weeks?

These might seem like straightforward questions, but many parents struggle to answer them accurately, especially when they are busy and overtired. However, gathering this basic information is crucial to determining whether your child has a sleep problem and identifying the best course of action.

Keeping a Sleep Diary

One of the most effective ways to record your child’s sleep patterns is by maintaining a sleep diary for two weeks. It can be a simple document, but the data it provides can help address a wide range of sleep issues.

When to Start?

The best time to start keeping a sleep diary is today. Even if you haven’t decided on a specific approach to managing your child’s sleep, any information you gather now will give you a head start in determining the best strategy. Additionally, noting your aims on the diary page can keep you focused on your goals, especially when tiredness and emotions threaten to derail your efforts.

Benefits of a Sleep Diary

A simple daily diary can teach you a lot and guide your child towards better sleep.

Here’s how a sleep diary can help:

Assess Sleep Adequacy: Determine if your child is getting enough sleep and if it’s occurring at the best times.
Track Progress: Whether you’re introducing a structured sleep program or making small adjustments to meal and nap times, a diary helps you see the impact of these changes.
Objectivity: With the bare facts, it’s easier to spot patterns and address them quickly, minimizing emotional bias.
Identify External Influences: See how activities outside sleep times affect your child’s sleep.
Evaluate Responses: Understand how your responses to your child’s sleep habits may help or hinder the situation.
Baseline Information: Use this data to assess changes in your child’s behaviour and your management of those changes.
Consistency: Helps you maintain consistency, which is crucial for establishing a routine.
Motivation: Small improvements in sleep habits can increase your motivation to continue with changes.
Professional Consultation: Provides valuable information for health professionals if you seek their advice.

Starting a sleep diary today can make a significant difference in understanding and improving your child’s sleep patterns.

This simple tool can provide insights, track progress, and help you remain objective and consistent in your approach, ultimately guiding your child towards better sleep and a healthier routine.

Written by Mandy Gurney RGN.RM.DipHV

January 23, 2022