There are many sleep disorders that can affect children, which could lead to them being unable to get a sufficient amount of sleep.
One of the most common sleep disorders in children, particularly younger children, is night terrors.
This disorder is common in children aged two to six, though it can also occur with some adults.
Night terrors can often prevent the sufferer from gaining consciousness completely, resulting in them moaning or even screaming when they eventually awaken.
Another sleeping disorder that can affect children is sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is common in children and can be difficult to diagnose.
Sleep apnea occurs when the sufferer takes short pauses in breathing during sleep.
There are certain symptoms in children to watch out for that can help to diagnose sleep apnea, such as sleeping constantly throughout the day, behavioural problems, enlarged tonsils and difficulty sleeping.
A paediatric specialist can help to diagnose sleep apnea in children and treatment can include removal of the tonsils, nasal steroids or weight loss.
Obesity is one of the main causes of sleep apnea so children that exercise regularly may have less chance of developing the disorder.
Children, like adults, can also suffer from insomnia.
Children that are unable to fall asleep after a certain amount of time may be suffering from insomnia, which can lead to mood swings, irritability, hyperactivity, depression and aggression.
Some of the causes of insomnia in children include depression, anxiety and poor sleeping habits.
It is important that younger children between 6 and 12 need much more sleep, usually up to 11 hours every night.
The recommended amount of sleep for teenagers is around 9 hours.
Children that stay up late playing games or watching television may experience problems with insomnia, so cutting down the amount of time they spend on these activities and getting an earlier night will help to reduce the risk of developing it.
To recognise the signs of a sleeping disorder in their child, parents must watch out for symptoms such as excessive sleeping during the daytime, snoring in sleep, inability to fall asleep straight away, learning difficulties and behavioural problems.