Health Tip: When Your Child Is Afraid to Sleep

(HealthDay News) -- A child's fear can interfere with sleep, but parents can offer soothing words of calm and reassurance.

The National Sleep Foundation suggests how to help a child deal with fears at bedtime:

• Listen to your child and understand what's behind the fear. Do this during the day.
• Don't tease or dismiss a child's worries, no matter how unrealistic.
• Reassure the child that he or she is safe. Offer plenty of positive thoughts.
• Make a game out of being in the dark, such as flashlight tag.
• Creatively encourage your child's imagination to battle fears. For example, use a "monster spray" to get rid of monsters.
• Allow your child to have a security object at bedtime.
• Allow a pet to sleep with the child.
• Don't let your child watch scary TV shows or movies.
• Deploy a nightlight.
• Offer the child a reward for staying in bed all night.
• Check on the child frequently.