A concise, hands-on guide to treating pediatric sleep problems.
 
This second edition includes updated research and practice recommendations, a new chapter on disorders of hypersomnolence, and downloadable handouts in both English and Spanish. It also incorporates new information on sleep health equity, considering such factors as individual child differences, family circumstances, school start times, home environment, neighborhood differences, and sociocultural beliefs and practices.

Sleep difficulties are very common in children, with 25-40% of youth experiencing them at some point during childhood or adolescence. Yet, most healthcare providers receive little if any training in pediatric sleep problems—and most training that does exist tends to emphasize medical, rather than behavioral interventions.
 
This book presents highly effective behavioral interventions for common pediatric sleep problems such as sleep-related anxiety, insomnia, frequent night wakings, delayed circadian rhythm, sleep terrors, and nocturnal enuresis. Step-by-step instructions provide readers with the tools to clinically assess and treat children with sleep problems, and case examples show clinicians how to apply the instructions to real-life scenarios. To facilitate implementation, authors Lisa Meltzer and Valerie McLaughlin Crabtree also provide more than 30 downloadable handouts and worksheets that practitioners can share with parents and children.
 

A concise, hands-on guide to treating pediatric sleep problems.

Lisa J. Meltzer, PhD, CBSM, DBSM, is the owner of Nyxeos Consulting (www.nyxeosconsulting.com), providing pediatric sleep solutions for researchers and clinical providers. She is a professor at National Jewish Health (Pediatrics) and the University of Colorado School of Medicine (Family Medicine). Dr. Meltzer is a licensed child psychologist, is board certified in behavioral sleep medicine by the American Board of Sleep Medicine, and is a diplomate of the Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine. For 25 years, she has provided clinical treatment and education for sleep problems in children 6 months through college-aged and their families.
 
Valerie McLaughlin Crabtree, PhD, CBSM, DBSM, is the vice president of psychosocial services and a faculty member in the Department of Psychology and Biobehavioral Sciences at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. She is a licensed psychologist and board certified in behavioral sleep medicine by the American Board of Sleep Medicine. She is also a diplomate of the Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine. For over 25 years, Dr. Crabtree has provided clinical care for children and adolescents with sleep disorders. She also conducts research on sleep and fatigue in children with cancer. Visit www.stjude.org/crabtree. 

Preface to the Second Edition
Part I. Fundamentals of Pediatric Sleep
Chapter 1. Normal Sleep Across Development
Chapter 2. Sleep Health, Sleep Habits, and Sleep Disparities
Chapter 3. Common Pediatric Sleep Problems
Chapter 4. Essential Concepts for Pediatric Behavioral Sleep Medicine
Part II. Clinical Basics for Pediatric Behavioral Sleep Medicine
Chapter 5. Clinical Assessment of Sleep
Chapter 6. Approaches to Increasing Treatment Success
Part III. Presenting Problems
Chapter 7. Sleep Onset Associations and Night Wakings in Infants and Young Children
Chapter 8. Bedtime Stalling, Protests, and Curtain Calls in Toddlers and Preschoolers
Chapter 9. Nighttime Fears, Anxiety, and Recurrent Nightmares in Preschoolers and School-Aged Children
Chapter 10. Insomnia in Adolescents
Chapter 11. Delayed Sleep–Wake Phase Disorder
Chapter 12. Disorders of Hypersomnolence
Chapter 13. Confusional Arousals, Sleep Terrors, and Sleepwalking
Chapter 14. Nocturnal Enuresis
Chapter 15. Adherence to Positive Airway Pressure Therapy
Appendix. Resources for Clinicians and Families
References

Drs. Meltzer and Crabtree, both master clinicians and leaders in the field, have created an invaluable resource that addresses one of the most common concerns raised by parents. They equip practitioners across all disciplines—whether in mental health or primary care—with practical, empirically supported tools that can be tailored to each child’s and family’s needs. This book sets the standard for evidence-based care in pediatric behavioral sleep medicine. 

Drs. Lisa Meltzer and Valerie McLaughlin Crabtree are two of the best pediatric clinical experts in the world. It would be great to have them sitting in the room with you when you’re working with pediatric sleep patients. But this book gives you the next best thing—their knowledge, teachings, and guidance stuffed into your back pocket! 

The new edition of Pediatric Sleep Problems: A Clinician’s Guide to Behavioral Interventions is invaluable to pediatricians, mental health providers, and anyone working with tired kids and parents. The problem-based approach and clear writing will help practitioners come up with a plan of action to address an array of sleep problems. My copy of the first edition is well-worn, as I use it all the time, and this version is even better. 

The second edition of Pediatric Sleep Problems is an essential resource for professionals at all levels of training in the field of sleep medicine. It is structured in a clear and accessible manner, allowing busy clinicians to easily grasp key concepts. The recommendations are practical and can be easily implemented within a clinical practice. The authors recognize that families come in many different forms and configurations. Thus, the content stresses the importance of considering individual environmental and cultural factors when treating behavioral sleep problems. It also addresses modifications in approach that may be needed in children with neurodivergence. In summary, Pediatric Sleep Problems emphasizes that behavioral sleep interventions should be tailored to the unique circumstances of each patient. This informative book advocates for personalized, culturally sensitive, and adaptable methods to improve patient outcomes. 

There is no doubt that sleep is critical for our kids’ well-being. In a societal and professional world in which time is of the essence, access to reliable, practical, and effective information and guidance to solve sleep problems and optimize sleep in our children is a must. The first edition of the book by Drs. Meltzer and Crabtree was great, but this edition is simply it!!