Night waking isn't just a baby problem.

Parents of young children commonly describe children waking once or several times during the night, calling for them, needing reassurance or getting into their parents' bed.

Some children wake briefly and return to sleep without anyone noticing. Others have learned that when they wake, they need a parent to help them settle again.

There can also be other reasons for night waking, including worries, nightmares, changes in routine, illness, the sleep environment or an underlying sleep problem.

We'll look at the whole picture and help you understand what may be keeping your child's sleep unsettled.

This is one of the biggest reasons parents seek help with school-age sleep.

Your child may fall asleep happily in their own bed but appear beside you at 1am, 3am or 5am.

And when you're exhausted, it's incredibly tempting to let them stay because it feels easier than repeatedly taking them back.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to comfort your child. The question is whether the current arrangement is working for your family.

If your child wants to sleep in your bed every night and you're happy with that, you don't necessarily need to change it.

But if you're desperate to get your own bed back, we can work on helping your child feel confident sleeping in their own room and returning to sleep independently.

The approach will depend on your child's age, personality and why they're coming into your room in the first place.

“My 10 year old still needs me to sit beside them until they fall asleep. Is this normal?”

It's a question many parents are reluctant to ask because they worry their child is too old to need them.

There can be lots of reasons why a child wants a parent nearby at bedtime. It may be a long-established sleep habit, fear of being alone, worries that become louder at night, or simply because your presence has become part of the way they fall asleep.

That doesn't mean you've created a problem or done anything wrong.

If you're happy to stay, there's no rule saying you must stop.

But if bedtime is taking an hour every night and you're ready for your child to fall asleep without you, there are gentle and gradual ways to change the pattern.

We can work towards independence without suddenly disappearing from your child's bedtime.

A child who previously slept happily alone can suddenly become frightened of their bedroom, the dark or being on their own.

Night-time worries can become particularly strong during periods of change, including starting a new school, changes in friendships or family circumstances.

You might hear:

“I'm scared.”

“I don't know what's wrong.”

“Can you stay with me?”

“I don't want to be on my own.”

Sometimes children can't even explain exactly what they're frightened of.

The answer isn't always to simply tell them there's nothing to worry about. Their fear feels very real to them.

We'll look at how to reassure your child while also helping them develop confidence around bedtime and sleep.

If anxiety is persistent, severe or affecting your child's daytime life as well as sleep, it's important to seek appropriate professional support. NHS guidance highlights sleep difficulties as one possible sign of anxiety in children.

Yes, potentially - as a teacher I have seen this first hand.

Poor sleep doesn't always look like a child who is obviously tired.

Some children become grumpy, emotional or tearful. Others appear hyperactive, impulsive, easily frustrated or unable to concentrate.

Sleep problems can affect mood, daytime behaviour and school engagement.

If you're being told, “They're fine once they're at school,” but mornings and evenings at home are becoming increasingly difficult, sleep is worth considering as part of the bigger picture.