Common Sleep Issues

Struggling to Fall Asleep

Bedtime Anxiety and Difficulty Falling Asleep

Even if your child seems fine during the day, bedtime often brings a quiet moment where worries surface. They may start to think about school, friendships, personal safety, or family matters — all of which can make it harder to switch off. Children at this age are developing greater self-awareness, but often don't yet have the tools to manage their thoughts or articulate their fears. As a result, they may appear restless, tearful, or overly chatty at bedtime — all signs of emotional overload.

Difficulty Falling Asleep Without You

Despite increasing independence, many children still rely on a parent's presence to fall asleep. They might ask for extra cuddles, want you to lie with them, or feel unable to settle alone. These behaviours are often linked to bedtime anxiety or habits formed when younger. While understandable, they may mean your child struggles to fall asleep without your presence — and if they wake during the night, need the same support from you to get back to sleep.

Sleep Habits That Disrupt Sleep

Inconsistent bedtimes, limited wind-down time, and screen use before bed are all common factors that can disrupt your child's ability to fall asleep. Using phones or tablets close to bedtime can overstimulate the brain, making it harder for your child to switch off and relax. Fast-paced content, exciting games, or even emotionally charged conversations can leave them feeling wired rather than sleepy — delaying the onset of sleep and affecting how well they settle for the night.

Delayed Sleep Phase

As children near the pre-teen years, some begin to show signs of delayed sleep phase — a shift in their natural body clock that makes them feel sleepy later in the evening. While still biologically suited to earlier bedtimes, this change can make falling asleep at a typical time more difficult. Children may lie awake for hours despite being in bed, leading to difficulty waking in the morning and tiredness throughout the school day.

Anxiety About Not Getting Enough Sleep

Some children become so focused on getting enough sleep that the pressure itself keeps them awake. They may clock-watch, count down the hours left until morning, or feel panicked if they can't drift off quickly. This cycle of worry and wakefulness can be frustrating for both child and parent, and often requires gentle reassurance, supportive routines, and a reset of unhelpful sleep beliefs.

Night-Time Disruptions and Sleep Fears

Nightmares

As your child's imagination expands, so too can the vividness of their dreams. Nightmares — especially after a stressful day, scary content, or a major life change — are common at this age. They often cause your child to wake distressed and need comfort. While upsetting, nightmares are a normal part of emotional processing and brain development.

Night Terrors

Occurring in the early part of the night, night terrors involve sudden crying, shouting, or movement while your child remains deeply asleep. These episodes can be frightening to witness but are not harmful and your child typically won't remember them in the morning. Night terrors often run in families and are more likely during periods of overtiredness or emotional stress.

Night Waking and Bed Swapping

Frequent night waking often becomes a habit, especially if your child relies on parental presence to settle. Some children leave their bed to come into yours, or call for you repeatedly during the night. While comforting them feels like the easiest solution in the moment, this pattern can lead to fragmented sleep for the whole family.

Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking

Many children experience episodes of sleepwalking or talking, particularly if they're overtired or going through a developmental leap. These behaviours usually occur during deep sleep and are not typically cause for concern, but they can be unsettling to observe and may signal that your child's sleep routine needs adjustment.

Bed Wetting

Although most children are dry at night during this age range, some still experience occasional or regular bed wetting. It may relate to a genetic predisposition, or fluid intake. While not typically a behavioural sleep issue, it can still impact your child's confidence and affect the quality of their sleep.

🧠 Sleep Challenges Linked to Neurodiversity and Health

ADHD and Autism-Related Sleep Difficulties

Children with ADHD or autism are more likely to experience sleep disturbances — including difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking very early. Factors such as heightened sensory sensitivity, differences in melatonin production, and difficulty winding down can all contribute. Children with neurodiversity's may appear to "need less sleep," but in fact often need tailored support to help them access the sleep they require.

Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Concerns

Loud snoring, pauses in breathing, or restless sleep may suggest obstructive sleep apnoea. Although more commonly recognised in adults, sleep apnoea can occur in children and impact both their physical health and learning. If you notice signs like gasping, persistent snoring, or heavy breathing during sleep, it's important to speak with your GP for further assessment.

Helping your child feel secure at bedtime — and giving you peace of mind.

When your child is struggling with sleep, it can impact every part of family life. You may feel frustrated, confused, or helpless — especially when your child can't explain what's wrong, or when the strategies that once worked no longer do. Whether they're battling bedtime fears, waking through the night, or feeling anxious about sleep itself, it's easy to feel like you're stuck in a cycle that's hard to break.

At Millpond, we understand that sleep in the primary school years is about more than just routines. It's about recognising what's going on underneath — from rising emotional awareness and growing independence to neurodiversity, life changes, or simply habits that have slowly built up over time.

We take a whole-child approach, grounded in sleep science, and over 30 years of hands-on experience. We'll work with you to gently uncover what's driving your child's sleep challenges, their sleep needs and their chronotype and build a tailored, step-by-step plan that fits your family's lifestyle. Our strategies are always practical, respectful, and rooted in your child's unique temperament and needs.

With the right support, your child can learn to settle more confidently, sleep more soundly, and feel secure in their own sleep space. And you can feel reassured, rested — and ready to enjoy calmer evenings and brighter mornings together.