Children's sleep problems are very common and at some stage about 40% of children have a sleep problem that parents consider significant. The main problems children get are; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, nightmares, night terrors and sleepwalking. Problems that have all been treated successfully at Clover House Therapy Centre, a children’s charity based in Saltford that offers affordable treatment through a unique fusion of three complementary therapy’s; Nutrition, Massage and Imagery therapy, which has consistently produced successful results of over 83% in just three sessions. We are the only organisation that offers this combination of natural treatments that gently restores a child’s confidence, reduces their anxiety and enables them to overcome their sleep disorder.

 

A recent case at Clover House involved 10 year old Claire who was refusing to go to bed and having a tantrum at bedtime. Her mum bought her to Clover House in desperation saying that Claire had a deep fear that her and her partner will be harmed if she falls asleep. Claire would often wake them during the night and this was playing havoc with everyone in the house.

 

After a series of three treatments, each session involving one-on-one sessions with each of the therapists, Claire’s mum reported that she is “a different girl” and scored her sleep disorder from 2 out of 10 at the start of the treatment to 8 out of 10 by the end of her treatment. “We are so relieved to have our little girl back, she is far more relaxed and just a much happier child.”

 

If your child has a sleeping disorder the first thing you might like to try is a positive bedtime routine. This can help your child settle more quickly and make them wake less during the night. Research shows that children have fewer tantrums and settle more quickly at bedtime within four weeks of starting a positive bedtime routine. A positive routine includes; having a short regular, calming routine leading up to bed, making your child's bedroom quiet, dark, comfortable and not too hot or cold, avoiding boisterous play before bedtime and not giving your child caffeine during the day, for example cola drinks and chocolate, which can interfere with their sleep patterns. Our Nutritionist can advise on the foods that may be keeping your child awake, our Massage Therapist can help relax your child and show you techniques you can use at home and our Imagery Therapist can banish those night fears and help your child have a deep, comforting sleep.

 

Further information is available on our website, www.cloverhouse.org including a DVD clip of our work, with parents and children’s testimonies. There are free information fact sheets on the most common conditions. Additionally, Clover House has a booklet on help and advice and a DVD showing parents how to do the work at home. For parents and professionals there are free open mornings on the first Wednesday of the month 10-30am - 12-30am, and quarterly workshop days for therapists.

 

To find out more on how we can help your child call Jill Gill at Clover House on 01225 344047 or email us at info@cloverhouse.org