Question
My child is 5 years old and has been waking up at night recently and can’t fall back asleep. Everything seems fine, could it be due to some psychological shadow? I’ve emphasized her deep sleep issues and even scolded her.
Answer
The recent difficulty falling back asleep after waking up at night in a 5-year-old may likely be related to emotional tension and anxiety. The parent’s excessive focus on the child’s deep sleep issues, along with scolding, may cause the child to feel very tense about napping, especially when they can’t fall asleep, leading to even worse deep sleep. In such cases, gently patting the child and helping them relax can make it easier for them to fall asleep when they wake up again.