Help! My Adopted Child Won't Sleep!

Help! My Adopted Child Won't Sleep!

Most adoptive families experience sleep issues after coming home. Often, these problems come as a surprise to a family who saw their new son or daughter sleep soundly in their home country. The familiarity of sounds, smells, sights, and time zone can’t be underestimated. For most young children, sleeping in a new place can be scary.

Often parents cannot determine why their child is not going to sleep or cannot stay asleep even though the child is tired. In almost all cases, adoptive child sleep issues do not stem from behavioral problems but are most often the physical manifestations of a child’s inner struggles with grief, loss and trauma. Because of this, achieving regular healthy sleep can take time. It’s development goes hand-in-hand with the emotional and psychological healing that must occur for each child.

Parents who develop and use a plan for healthy sleep find that they are less weary and less overwhelmed. Each child is different, but every child can benefit from an intentional process that cultivates feelings of security while offering tools that can equip the child to relax and get the rest he or she needs. A variety of popular sleep methods exist, but families should be particularly attuned to how these methods might work with a child who has experienced trauma or loss. For example, crying it out, removing daytime naps, and taking away privileges generally don’t produce the same kind of results that positive methods like physical reassurance and reliability can. Though it may take longer than we’d hoped, with patience and sensitivity, healthy sleep can be achieved!

For more information on developing healthy sleep patterns, read:

All Through the Night, Adoptive Families

Baby Sleep Strategies, Attachment Parenting International

Sleep Struggles Following International Adoption, Janelle Althen, LCSW




Agape Adoptions

Washington Based
 1171 Waiting Children  2 Events  6 Adoption Programs
 Call 253-987-5804 15605 Main Street E Washington https://agapeadoptions.org/

What our clients say: "I researched adoption options and agencies for nine months before we selected Agape Adoptions. Looking back, I can truly say that I had a wonderful experience with Agape.  The communication was great.  I loved that they handled all of the details for us.  I always knew what was coming next and how long to expect to wait through each step." - R family, China program 2017
 
What to expect: At Agape Adoptions we believe that unwavering advocacy for waiting children and highly personalized services for adoptive families are necessary for a successful adoption - and we are dedicated to both. Our staff is devoted to ensuring waiting children are placed with a family that is committed to them and their needs. Simultaneously, we provide adoptive families with highly personalized care from our team of experienced professionals and in-depth parent training and education programs. We are a trusted partner for families across the U.S. who are embarking on the life changing journey of adoption. If you're ready to get started, or you just need someone to answer your questions and help you understand your international adoption options, we are ready to help.
 
The Details: Agape Adoptions is a licensed, fully Hague accredited child placing agency based in Washington state. We work with adoptive families across the U.S., and offer homestudy and post placement services to families in Alaska, Washington and Oregon. Agape currently has programs in China, Bulgaria, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Hong Kong, Romania, and Sri Lanka.
 
Connect with us: We hold virtual information meetings monthly, ususally on a Monday early in the month, at 6 pm pacific. To see when the next meeting is being held and register, click here. To request our general information packet, click here.  To speak with one of our staff directly call (253) 987-5804 or email agape@agapeadoptions.org . Our website is also a treasure trove of information, agapeadoptions.org


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