Babies And Young Children Need A Nap

Daydreaming is a topic that provokes discussion and even debate. Although there are opinions for and against the subject, it is clear that babies and young children need naps, and daily rest periods are important for children.

For and against

Some believe that naps are only necessary for children under 3 years of age. With the help of daytime sleep, the child recovers from the exhaustion that arises during the day, and thus he is not stressed, restless or irritable in the evening.

As for the duration of naps, researchers say, until the age of six months, the baby should be allowed to sleep 3-4 hours, although the duration may be longer in the first months of life. The average duration of daytime sleep decreases by one hour from the age of nine months as the age progresses.

At the age of two, a child should not sleep for more than two hours. At the age of three, the duration should be 1.5 hours and in a child aged 4 or 5 and older, naps should not be longer than an hour.

Some highlight the difficulty of daydreaming in children with sleep or breathing problems. The main cause of the disadvantages is too long a nap, which can cause headaches and significantly change the child’s sleep rhythm and night’s sleep.

Babies and young children need a nap

1. Daytime sleep restores energy

In addition to the fact that as the morning progresses to daytime, the child may be physically exhausted and need rest, this break has a very positive effect on the child’s mind. During daydreams, a series of complex processes take place in the brain to help prepare for receiving new ideas and embracing what has been learned in the past.

A child’s muscles also benefit from a nap. After hours of play and adventure, the little one regains his full abilities to realize his curiosity and imagination with a nap.

2. Daytime sleep improves the child’s ability to concentrate

Many studies have confirmed that a child who sleeps asleep tends to be more attentive in both school and exercise. Exhaustion is reduced and the child’s cognitive performance is improved.

3. Daydreams stimulate sociality

Daytime sleep improves a child’s mood in exactly the same way as an adult’s. Therefore, the child is more attentive, more patient and in a better mood as the day progresses. The effect of this positive combination is reflected in sociality. In this way, the child receives more pleasant treatment from others as well – no one wants to deal with irritable and restless children.

4. Daydreams allow for growth

During rest periods, the child’s body secretes growth hormone, which is a vital factor in the child’s growth. In addition to this, as the child sleeps, his cardiovascular and respiratory systems become regulated. The moment of sleep is a productive stage for the body, so sleep is by no means a time of stagnation.

5. Daytime sleep promotes mental well-being

All of these benefits contribute to the balance of the body and thus affect the well-being of the child in general. The mind is one of the areas that benefits most from rest.

Thanks to daytime sleep, the following effects occur in the child’s mind:

• Memory improves
• Stress is reduced
• The mood improves

How to make a child sleep better in a nap?

As a mother or father, you can take advantage of certain basic tips to help your child fall asleep.

• Create a routine and stick to it.
• Make sure the nap is not too long.
• Make the environment calm and dimly lit – excessive stimuli can prevent you from falling asleep.
• Do not put your child to sleep immediately after eating, but let his or her body process the food for a while.

So there is no ambiguity, but it is clear that naps benefit the health of every young child in many ways. Whatever you think of an adult’s nap, as your child sleeps, you will be able to take a short soothing break and replenish your own energy stores.