Can a child have insomnia? If your little one is keeping you up at night because they struggle to sleep, you’re not alone. Insomnia in young kids is a real concern for many parents, and understanding what causes insomnia in a child can help you address it effectively. Let’s explore some of the childhood insomnia causes you might not have considered and natural ways to promote better sleep.

What Is Childhood Insomnia?

What is childhood insomnia? Simply put, it’s when children have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and feeling unrested. Unlike adults, children’s insomnia is often tied to nutritional deficiencies, activity levels, and dietary habits, rather than stress. Understanding sleep disorders in children and their root causes is essential for finding the right solution.

Common Childhood Insomnia Causes

Many children wake up at night due to leg aches, which are often linked to mineral imbalances. If they’re not getting enough essential minerals, they may need healthy salt like Redmond Real Salt or a little magnesium. However, more commonly, kids lack vinegar compounds, particularly raw apple cider vinegar or those found in cultured foods.

If your child wakes up saying they can’t sleep, ask if their legs hurt. This discomfort can be a sign of a mineral deficiency, a common cause of insomnia in young children. You can rub their legs with vinegar, which helps adjust the pH balance, or give them a small amount of vinegar mixed with water. Just remember to rinse their teeth afterward to protect their enamel. Vinegar opens calcium channels, allowing minerals to flow into the muscles, which helps them relax.

Another important mineral is zinc. A zinc deficiency can lead to calf aches, which disrupt sleep. Additionally, if your child has warts and trouble sleeping, this may indicate they are low in zinc. Addressing these deficiencies can help improve insomnia in childhood and promote restful sleep.

What Causes Insomnia in Children?

While children don’t typically experience insomnia in childhood in the same way adults do, lack of physical activity can be a major contributor.

Have you noticed that kids sleep better during the summer when they are active all day? On the other hand, if they spend too much time on video games, sitting in school, or being sedentary, they may struggle to fall asleep. In these cases, encourage physical movement—such as using a treadmill, taking a walk, or jumping on a trampoline—to help them burn energy and sleep better.

This also applies to adults. Many report that just 10 minutes of exercise before bed significantly improves their sleep. However, avoid excessive activity right before bedtime, as it can trigger an adrenal response, leading to increased stress, which is one of the leading childhood insomnia causes.

ADHD and Insomnia in Childhood

Children with ADHD are more likely to experience childhood Insomnia compared to those without the condition. If your child struggles with falling or staying asleep, it’s important to avoid red food dye and high fructose corn syrup, which can worsen hyperactivity and disrupt sleep cycles.

Treatment: Diet and Nutrition

A well-balanced evening meal plays a crucial role in childhood insomnia treatment. If children consume only sugar before bed, it can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, leading to wakefulness throughout the night.

To help with this, pair protein and vegetables with any evening treat. For example, have a celery stick with peanut butter (low in sugar) before eating a brownie. This slows sugar absorption, preventing it from disrupting sleep. Afterward, brush their teeth and send them to bed.

Following this balanced eating pattern—vegetables, protein, then carbs or sugars—at dinner time can improve insomnia in childhood and help both children and adults get a better night’s rest.

Final Thoughts on Childhood Insomnia Treatment

Understanding what causes insomnia in a child is the first step toward finding the right childhood insomnia treatment. By focusing on nutrition, physical activity, and balanced eating habits, you can naturally support better sleep for your child.

In our next article, we’ll cover natural supplements and remedies to further improve insomnia in childhood. Check it out!

Other articles on Insmonia you might like:

• Do I have Insomnia?
• Foods to help you sleep

You might also enjoy our YouTube video: Children’s Insomnia Treatment: Natural Ways to Help Your Child Sleep Better!