Before I started at Ergomotion®, as a father of two children, aged four and ten, I had never deeply considered their sleep quality. Was I being irresponsible? Certainly not! Like many parents, I thought every day about whether my children were sleeping well, but only in one way: through perception and basic questions.
As part of my experience in Ergomotion®, I have become more aware of the huge benefits of sleeping well and the existence of high-tech systems to improve sleep quality. Raising the head to breathe better or using smart sensors to give us trustworthy information about biometric sleep indicators and evaluating our sleep quality (Sleep score) are good examples of how we can improve our sleep quality.
However, while it's easy for us parents to understand how important it is to sleep well, it is quite complicated for children in general. They aren't aware of its relevance and don't have the same perception as we adults.
From my point of view, parents face multiple challenges, such as: How can I know if my children are sleeping well? How can I improve their sleep? How can I explain to them how important it is for their growth?
It's common sense that sleep is fundamental to health and well-being, especially for young people. It plays a crucial role in physical, mental, and emotional development. However, parents often overlook the importance of sleep for their children due to their busy routines, concerns, and many other things related to their lives. Whether they are doing everything right or not, the fact is that they can't objectively analyse how their children's sleep is.
When I was challenged to write a sleep article based on my experience, I wondered how, based on my personal and professional experience, I could make a subject relevant to society.
So, supported by scientific papers, I decided to discuss the significance of good sleep for young people, which I divided into three age groups: babies, children, and teenagers. I want to highlight the biggest causes and consequences of poor sleep for each group and provide insights into how we can better manage children's sleep health.
During my research, I found relevant information about how these groups often experience sleep disturbances due to various factors such as irregular sleep patterns, apnoea events, frequent awakenings, and environmental influences.
New parents, especially mothers, face severe sleep fragmentation, which affects their ability to provide a stable sleep environment for their babies; the biological growth of adenoids and teeth, for example, affects their breath and, consequently, their ability to sleep quietly.
Frequent awakenings and shorter periods of light sleep can disrupt overall sleep quality, causing irritability and weakening the immune system, which can impact the baby's growth and health.
As they grow, children may suffer from sleep issues due to Parasomnias, which include sleepwalking, night terrors, and other disruptive sleep-related behaviours. Although they are not likely to persist past adolescence, they can disrupt a child's daytime behaviour and overall quality of life, excessive use of electronic devices, and an unsuitable sleep environment. The prevalence of snoring and sleep apnoea is significant among overweight and obese children.
Sleep deprivation in children can result in cognitive impairments, behavioural problems, and emotional instability. It can also affect their physical health, leading to obesity and other related issues.
Teenagers often struggle with sleep due to academic stress, social pressures, and the overuse of technology. As children, the correlation between BMI and sleep apnoea is notable, with a higher incidence among obese and overweight adolescents.
Poor sleep in teenagers can lead to depression, anxiety, and decreased academic performance. It can also affect their physical development and overall well-being.
Sleep concerns often take a backseat, leading to long-term health issues for our children. If parents had access to relevant data about their children's sleep patterns, they would be more aware and could make informed decisions to improve their sleep quality and overall health.
Good sleep is essential for the healthy development of young people. Parents must prioritize sleep health, educate their children, and create a conducive sleep environment for the whole family. By becoming alert and understanding the origins of poor sleep, parents can take proactive steps to ensure their children get the rest they need to thrive.
In a world where so much competes for our children's attention, sleep remains one of the most powerful, natural tools for growth and resilience. Protecting it is not just our responsibility as parents—it is an act of love.
Sources:
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/children-and-sleep/sleep-disorders-in-children
SleepWhite Paper 2025 by China Sleep Research Association
By Paulo Figueiredo, People & Office Manager
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