TIPS FOR BETTER SLEEP
WITH CEREBRAL PALSY
The Daily Doze
Did you know that Cerebral Palsy is the most common motor disability found in children? The CDC reports that it occurs in 1 to 4 cases every 1,000 births, globally.
Even so, there are still plenty of question marks and misconceptions surrounding the condition.
What is Cerebral Palsy, and how does it affect daily life?
Cerebral Palsy, or CP, is a developmental disability that affects motor skills, muscle tone and movement, hindering the body from moving in a coordinated or purposeful way and often affecting other bodily functions such as breathing, eating, talking, and bladder and bowel control.
The causes of CP aren’t always known. Many cases happen when a child’s brain is still developing, before birth or during early infancy, due to infections, stroke, genetic disorders or medical problems during pregnancy.
CP does not get worse over time, and there is currently no cure for it. Nonetheless, a child’s quality of life can significantly improve with resources, treatment or therapy techniques, including physical, speech and occupational therapies.
Between 25% to 40% of children with CP have sleep problems, a much higher proportion than children who aren’t disabled (20%).
These sleep issues can hinder the treatment plan and growth of the child, and can even disrupt the entire family’s daily life, as parents or caregivers have to attend to them in the middle of the night. This will affect everyone’s sleep patterns and functioning the following day.
How do families cope with this challenge?
Two of our MajesticBeds Ambassadors, on Instagram as @BriellaandMe and @MightyMissMaya, share with us about their experiences as CP Warriors -- and their moms answered 6 questions about their sleep issues and solutions.
Q1: As a parent of a child with CP, what issues did you notice with sleeping or bedtime routines and how did it impact them during the day?
“Maya tends to have sore muscles and some spasms at night, especially after very active days where she does a lot of independent walking,” Maya’s mom, Ann shared.
Briella, on the other hand, would toss and turn and wake up many times throughout the night. Her mom, Caroline explained that she would have painful muscle spasms caused by spasticity (tightness in the muscles) from CP.
“When Briella was 3.5 years old, she underwent a life-changing lower spinal surgery called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy to help rid her body of the spasticity and give her more mobility, independence, and less pain as she grows into adulthood,” Caroline continued.
“Briella needed a mattress that would support her growing body to help keep her spine in line and be cooler for her to sleep on. We knew the importance of a good night’s sleep, especially for Briella because she was burning through so much energy throughout the day with school and keeping up with physical therapy at home and in the office.”
MajesticBeds is the answer they were looking for -- The Majestic Embrace mattress with the adjustable base was perfect for their sleeping needs.
Caroline raves, “Briella loves sleeping on her ‘big girl bed.’ After getting the mattress, we knew it was the right choice. She stayed asleep throughout the night and had more energy throughout the day.”
Q2: As you have talked to many families dealing with the same issues around sleep, what would you want them to know?
Caroline’s advice to families dealing with CP or other disabilities: “Prioritizing sleep means finding a bed that is customized just for your needs. Help getting the best restorative sleep possible is a must!”
If your body isn’t fully rested at night, you wouldn’t be able to fully heal and restore for the following day.
Ann reminds parents to listen to your child and ask questions. “They can't always articulate why they aren't comfortable or sleeping well. We didn't know Maya had pain at night. Maya never really talked about it because for her, it was just "normal" to have spasms and pain.”
Caroline emphasizes the need for customized solutions: “to get the right mattress for your sleep.”
Lack of sleep and the constant tossing and turning or pain from your mattress can add up over time, causing more health issues.
“It’s so important that you are getting the proper support and adjustability from your mattress based on your individual needs and symptoms. We loved how we communicated with MajesticBeds to find the perfect solution for Briella’s sleep needs as well as our own.”
Q3: What is something you do or products you use to help you and your family get the best sleep possible?
Maya uses a sound machine at night that helps calm her to sleep with soothing ocean waves and lullaby sounds.
Briella’s bedroom is infused with DoTERRA essential oils to help create a calming and relaxing environment for sleep.
Caroline shares an additional tip: “We also love our Beddy’s bedding for our beds. It’s the easiest way to make your bed every morning with just one zip! I love that it gives Briella independence and ease of making her bed in the morning by being able to zip-close her sheet and comforter. It’s literally the fastest way to make your bed. We all know how much of a pain it is to make your bed. They work well with single adjustable bases -- plus, they work with single adjustable bases!”
Beddys: https://lddy.no/tojg
Beddys Coupon Code: Briella
Both parents swear by their MajesticBeds Embrace. Briella wakes up every day feeling refreshed, without pain and ready to start the day. Maya loves the Zero-Gravity position for reading books and winding down.
Q4: What is your family’s nightly routine like before you go to bed?
For Briella and Caroline, it’s about establishing bedtime rituals. “Most nights, we shower or take a relaxing bath with Epsom salts and essential oils to help relax her muscles after a long day of school and physical therapy.”
Doing this before sleep can help calm and relax anyone’s muscles!
Caroline continues, “After bathtime, she picks three books to read in bed. We adjust the base to sit up, in Zero-Gravity position, while reading. Essential oil diffusers are set and curtains closed for total darkness.”
Q5: What type of benefits have your MajesticBeds products had on your child’s sleep and recovery?
Since switching to MajesticBeds, Ann explains that Maya has had a much more restful sleep:
“She’s had way less waking in the middle of the night with pain. We can't say enough good things about the quality of the majestic bed and how well it sleeps. Wish we had them for the whole family!”
The children aren’t the only ones raving about MajesticBeds -- even the parents are choosing to shift.
Caroline explains, “My husband and I were waking up in pain every morning from our old mattress. We finally had enough and decided to make the switch to MajesticBeds once we saw how great Briella was sleeping throughout the night and how much energy she had throughout the day.
I’m so glad because once we picked the right mattress for our needs, we have been staying asleep throughout the night and waking up pain-free. I have peace of mind knowing we are all getting a better night’s sleep on a supportive mattress that isn’t hot and gives us adjustability when we need it.”
There is no greater feeling than hopping into bed every night, excited to go to sleep on the perfect mattress.
Better Sleep for a Better Life
Those with disabilities suffer more problems related to sleep that impact their day-to-day activities, and this definitely affects their other family members and caregivers. Investing in rest means improving everyone’s quality of life.
If you want to understand your sleep even better, our MajesticBeds Team is here to help! Feel free to contact us to speak with our Sleep Experts. We can help you find the best solution for your sleep needs.
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