You’ve Tried Everything… So Why Is Your Child Still Awake?
You've tried everything.
Earlier bedtimes. Blackout curtains. Melatonin. White noise machines. Strict routines. You've read the books, followed the advice, and done everything the experts recommend. And still, your child is wide awake at 10 p.m., staring at the ceiling, exhausted but unable to fall asleep.
If this is your family right now, here's something important to understand: you are not failing at bedtime, and your child is not being difficult. For some children, sleep challenges may involve more than routine or behaviour alone. Sometimes an overwhelmed or dysregulated nervous system may play a role in how easily a child is able to settle, relax, and transition into restful sleep.
Did you know? Around 1 in 3 Australian children experience difficulties with sleep at some stage of childhood.
Sleep Is Not Just Rest. Here's What It's Actually Doing
Most parents think of sleep as downtime. In reality, sleep is one of the most active and important periods of your child's day. While your child sleeps, their body and brain continue working behind the scenes.
During sleep:
The brain processes and consolidates learning and memories
Growth hormone is released during deeper stages of sleep
The immune system supports repair and recovery
The brain processes emotions and experiences from the day
The body restores energy and supports regulation of important body systems
Sleep plays an important role in supporting learning, mood, emotional wellbeing, growth, and overall development.
Understanding the Role of the Nervous System in Sleep
One area receiving increasing attention is the relationship between the nervous system and sleep regulation.
The autonomic nervous system helps the body shift between states of alertness and states of rest. You can think of this like an “accelerator” and a “brake pedal.”
The sympathetic nervous system is involved in stress responses and alertness
The parasympathetic nervous system supports rest, recovery, and relaxation
Healthy sleep often relies on the nervous system being able to shift smoothly from “on” to “off.” When the body is under ongoing stress, some children may find it harder to fully relax and settle into restful sleep patterns.
While routines, sleep hygiene, and environmental supports can be helpful for many families, they may not always address underlying stress patterns contributing to sleep difficulties.
How Early Stress May Influence Sleep and Regulation
Some chiropractors and healthcare practitioners consider how stress throughout pregnancy, birth, and early childhood may influence nervous system development and regulation.
During Pregnancy
Research suggests maternal stress during pregnancy may influence the developing stress-response system of the baby.
During Birth
Birth is a significant physical event for both mother and baby. Some chiropractors believe certain birth interventions or physical stresses during birth may contribute to tension and stress within the developing body and nervous system.
In Early Childhood
Early childhood can involve many different physical, chemical, and emotional stressors. Illness, disrupted sleep, digestive challenges, frequent antibiotics, busy schedules, and emotional stress may all place additional demands on a developing nervous system.
For some families, sleep difficulties may be one of several signs that their child is struggling to adapt to ongoing stress.
The Flow On Effects of Poor Sleep
When sleep is disrupted long term, it can affect many areas of a child's wellbeing.
Children experiencing poor sleep may also experience:
Challenges with focus and concentration
Emotional dysregulation and increased irritability
Reduced resilience during stressful situations
Difficulty with learning and memory
Increased fatigue and reduced energy
More difficulty recovering during periods of illness
Sleep challenges can impact not only the child, but the entire family dynamic as well.
A Nervous System Focused Approach
Neurologically focused chiropractic care aims to support overall nervous system function and regulation.
Using gentle and specific chiropractic care, some families report improvements in their child’s ability to relax, settle, and regulate more effectively. Every child is different, and responses to care can vary.
How We Assess the Nervous System
At Breathe Chiropractic, we use INSiGHT scanning technology to assess patterns of stress and tension within the nervous system. These scans provide additional information that may help guide care recommendations and track changes over time.
Supporting Families Through Sleep Challenges
Sleep is an important foundation for growth, emotional wellbeing, learning, and development.
If your child is struggling with sleep despite trying many common strategies, it may be worth exploring whether stress and nervous system regulation could be playing a role.
If you'd like to learn more about our approach or whether chiropractic care may be suitable for your family, we'd love to support you on that journey.
Written by Dr Kate Mainwaring.