Sleep problems are highly prevalent in infants and children and, if not properly treated, can
become chronic, lasting for many years. [1] While many sleep disorders result in adverse
daytime outcomes, insomnia in children and adolescents is very common, affecting
approximately one third of children, and can be very distressing to families. Insomnia has been
defined as repeated difficulty with sleep initiation, duration, consolidation, or quality that occurs
despite age-appropriate time and opportunity for sleep and results in daytime functional
impairment for the child and/or family. [2] Children who sleep less or have poorer sleep quality
have lower test scores in cognitive tasks. [3] Insomnia in older children contributes to
increased behavioral problems and difficulty with concentration. [4] Insomnia in infants and
preschool aged children has been linked to parents’ poor general health and psychological
distress, even in mothers with no history of depression. [5] Behavioral sleep interventions can
improve, in particular, infants’ sleep and maternal mood. [6] Therefore, interventions to
improve sleep in children can benefit both the child and the entire family