Insomnia in Infants and Young Children

Abstract

Sleep problems in infants and young children are common and often underdiagnosed. The potential negative outcomes that chronic disrupted sleep can have on a child's daytime functioning, as well as the adverse impact it can have on the family, are well known. There is considerable evidence to support the use of behavioral interventions to treat childhood insomnia. These strategies not only produce reliable and durable positive changes in sleep in most young children, but may also improve child and family well-being without negative effects on a child's social-emotional development. This article serves as a guide to help the pediatric provider identify, evaluate, and treat insomnia in infants and young children. [Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(9):e321-e326.].