Uninterrupted sleep is a key factor in the healthy growth and development in children. But if your child is struggling to get a good night’s sleep, it’s important to know the reason behind it. If the child’s head sweats while sleeping, it can lead to discomfort and failure to sleep well. Your toddler’s night sweats can result in him crying in the middle of the night for the same reason. In such scenarios, it is necessary to get to the bottom of it and understand it properly.
Whether or not night sweats are a result of a medical condition, they can be detrimental to a child’s health. Night sweats mean, quite simply, sweating during the night. This generally occurs as a result of the environment being hot, humid, or both, leading to sweating. Children require a deep sleep every night as that gives the body the time to repair itself. The body auto-regulates its own temperature when the weather is warm, but this system has not yet developed fully in children – this results in the sweat glands becoming larger than normal, and hence, sweating.
Here are some of the common causes of night sweat in children:
Here are some of the typical symptoms of night sweating:
It is best to take your child to the doctor and get a medical opinion on any of the above-mentioned symptoms you see in him. The doctor will want to know the history pertaining to your child’s health, including any sleep-related habits that he has. The doctor will also inquire about the environment of the house, asking about temperature and ventilation. Then, a general check-up will be done to see if your child has an infection in the sinus or the ears, or any other underlying issue.
There’s no specific treatment that directly targets a child’s night sweats. However, you can ensure that your child remains sweat-free by keeping him hydrated at all times, shifting him to a room that has proper ventilation, clothing him in soft, breathable material, and has bedding that is soft and light.
If the night sweats occur because of a disorder or an illness diagnosed by a doctor, your child will most likely be given medication to treat that problem. Make sure you are regular with it and do not skip a dose.
Here are a few tips you can use to avoid night sweats in children.
Wool bedding is generally considered the best option for a toddler. Wool has an inherent property of regulating body temperature, making it suitable for any environment. It will keep your child warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s hot. Since night sweats make things uncomfortable, wool bedding will absorb most of the moisture and will keep things from being sticky or clammy, and keep your child in a deep slumber without any interruptions.
Your child’s excessive sweating at night can cause you to start worrying about him. By ensuring a good environment, proper clothing, and a fixed schedule, you can help him achieve the necessary sleep he needs. On consulting the doctor, any other issues can be resolved easily and night sweats would be nothing more than a thing of the past.