Sleep plays an important part in all of our lives. It is important for health and wellbeing, memory, attention, concentration and learning, energy and mood, and growth and development. 

For many children and young people with CP, difficulty with sleeping is a common problem. Reasons for this may include:

• pain or discomfort
• reflux or heartburn
• breathing problems or sleep apnoea (when breathing frequently stops and starts during sleep)
• being unable to change position
• seizures
• disturbance to the circadian rhythm (sleep/wake cycle), which is tied to your 24-hour body clock)
• breathing in saliva (saliva aspiration).

When a child or young person has trouble sleeping, it can also impact on sleep quality and energy levels for their parents and carers. Understanding how to manage sleep issues will have a positive impact on the whole family.

If you are concerned about your child’s sleep, talk to your healthcare team. They can refer you and your child to a sleep specialist, who will help you to identify sleep cues, find out what helps your child sleep, and form consistent sleep and settling techniques.

Some things that may help your child or young person to sleep better include:

• having an age-appropriate sleep routine
• finding the best material to use for bedding (especially for those affected by sensory input)
• medication where suitable (for example, melatonin or sedatives)
• reducing noise
• changing the lighting to promote sleep
• adjusting the room temperature (not too hot or too cold)
• adjusting their position for sleeping.

A supported sleep position using foam inserts or other products can help to reduce pain, risk of postural deformity, and muscle and joint contractures. They can also provide a safe sleep position for children and young people with breathing difficulties, or who are at risk of saliva aspiration.

Other things that may help improve sleep for your child or young person include:

• having a calming routine before bedtime
• giving them a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables
• making sure they get enough sunlight
• supporting them to exercise during the day, but not late at night.