How Is Caffeine Affecting Your Kids' Sleep?

At 5 Little Monkeys, we're on a mission to revolutionize how children everywhere sleep. Our purpose-built mattress for kids has become a favorite for parents everywhere thanks to its unique ability to give kids what they need for higher quality sleep, but in addition to our kids mattress, we strive to be a comprehensive resource for all things related to children's sleep. Unfortunately, caffeine consumption is increasingly a problem affecting children's sleep – and we know what you're thinking. Caffeine? My kid doesn't drink coffee! And while that may be true, it doesn't mean caffeine isn't affecting their sleep. 

Caffeine Consumption & Kids' Sleep Cycles

There's a plethora of research establishing that caffeine consumption, in excess, can interfere with sleep. This is especially true if caffeine is consumed later in the day, but it's generally true that in sufficient amounts, caffeine disrupts sleep no matter when it's consumed. That goes double for kids: with a lower body mass, the same dose of caffeine can have an even greater impact on sleep for a child.

And while most children don't drink many double espressos, there's a worrying glut of caffeine sources available to kids these days. Caffeinated soda has been a favorite kids drink for generations, but the portion sizes now are much larger than they used to be. While coke bottles used to hold 6.5 ounce servings, modern cans hold 12 oz, which means nearly double the amount of caffeine. Caffeine is even making its way into foods, with some snacks marketed to children containing added caffeine.

All that caffeine consumption adds up, and it may be having a negative impact on your child's sleep. Caffeine can disrupt sleep patterns, making it harder for children to fall and stay asleep and also impacting sleep quality. In turn, this can lead to daytime sleepiness that may prompt even more caffeine consumption, exacerbating the problem. It's a vicious cycle, and because most of the sources of caffeine for kids aren't as obvious, it's one that's easy to miss.

Get the Best Children's Mattress

When it comes to children, the best approach is generally to limit caffeine consumption as much as possible. A psychoactive stimulant has no place in a child's diet, and the negative impacts of caffeine on sleep can easily have long-lasting developmental repercussions. We'd recommend cutting caffeine out of your child's diet as much as possible – and if they still need help falling asleep, it may be time to try a new mattress. The 5 Little Monkeys bed for kids is built from the ground up to give children's bodies the proper support for restful, healthy sleep, making it easier for kids to get the sleep they need. See the difference that quality sleep can make: try our kids mattress risk-free and give your child the gift of better sleep today!