Does your child have problems staying alert during the day?  Perhaps they are tired or irritable all the time.  Children often do not sleep well and may have a Sleep Disorder such as Sleep Apnea.

Sleep Apnea is one of the most prevalent of the Breathing Disorders of sleep. Generally, one out of 25 middle-aged men and one out of 50 middle-aged women have Sleep Apnea but it can also affect children.

What is Sleep Apnea?  It is a common condition characterized by a periodic reduction in or a complete stop of breathing during sleep. This is usually caused by an obstruction blocking the back of the throat so that the air cannot reach your lungs. It can be a frightening experience for a parent to watch their child suffer from these symptoms.

Facts You Need to Know About Childhood Sleep Disorders:

Children can be affected by Sleep Disorders, including those commonly found in adults, such as Snoring, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Insomnia, and Restless Legs Syndrome.
Children’s Sleep Disorders can affect the child’s general behaviour which can result in mood swings and general irritability.  Rest is essential to a child’s growth and development – both physically and mentally.
Sleep Apnea in children has been linked to bedwetting, growth problems and even High Blood Pressure. With prolonged periods of insufficient sleep a child’s attention span will be affected which may result in poor school performance, learning difficulties and has been linked to ADHD.
Those who have ADHD and Sleep Disorders are difficult to treat, but when the proper treatment is found, the results can be notable such as improved conduct and decreased irritability.
Most children who snore do NOT have Apnea, but a sleep study is the only reliable way to tell for sure.  Children are more likely to have it if their parents or siblings had it as children.

Children’s Sleep Disorders are often harmful to their development and well being.  Every child needs periods of uninterrupted sleep for optimal growth, but sleep problems are very common – especially among younger children.  As with all conditions, it is essential to get the advice of a professional Healthcare provider.

Conclusion:

Sustained periods of disturbed sleep have enormous impact on the whole family – both on parents’ ability to function during the day and on other children.

Understanding the root cause of Sleep Disorders is the first key to getting the correct treatment.  Get more information on Natural Treatment Solutions for Children’s Sleep Disorders today. 

Discover Natural Solutions for SNORING, SLEEP APNEA & SLEEP DISORDERS including Children’s Sleep Disorders.

9 month old sleep problems what do i do?

My 9 month old now only sleeps if someone holds him. He used to sleep in his crib by himself. I have tried every way to keep him in his bed because when he lays with me he has to lay really close to my chest if not on it and it is starting to hurt me. Please help I have no idea what to do anymore. What should I do?

Answer
We had the same problems with our son. Our son was getting separation anxiety. For son to sleep on his own i put his music on have a night light leave his door a tiny bit open so he still gets light (i open it completely when he is asleep) he also sleeps with a pillow that me or my partner has slept on so he has our scent. Not sure what your feelings are on pillows though. Our son has just turned 1 and sleeps great day and night now.

Does your child find it hard to get out of bed in the morning? is he sleepy during the day, falling behind in school or just plain cranky?

Although we all need enough sleep to function well during the day, children especially need their sleep, because it’s during sleep that body produces growth hormones. These hormones are essential for healthy development.

Almost one in three children are sleep deprived. So why is this happening and what can we do about it?
There are many reasons children may not be getting the sleep they need. Most of us know the more common things that keep our kids awake at night, for instance stress, not having a sleep routine and lack of exercise. There are however, a few lesser known causes of sleep problems in children and we’ll have a look at some of them here.

Television and computers in the bedroom

Computer games and television in the bedroom are among the biggest child sleep stealers! Playing computer games is both entertaining and stimulating. If your child is using computers or the television to unwind, they’re probably having the opposite effect.

Television can stimulate our children’s minds to the point where relaxation is impossible especially if the program is scary. Do you know what your child is watching in his bedroom? Noise and light, even dim light, can make it difficult to fall asleep. Light prevents the brain from producing the hormone melatonin which induces sleep. The bright, flickering television or computer screen prevents this essential sleep hormone from forming.

Soft drinks

You wouldn’t give your child a cup of coffee or tea in the evening, but how about a chocolate bar or a glass of cola at lunchtime? Caffeine is a notorious stimulant and most of us insomniacs know not to drink coffee late at night. But did you know caffeine can take 6-8 hours more to leave the body? So that mid afternoon cuppa may be causing your night time restlessness and than can of cola after school could be keeping your child up long after he should be asleep.

Time stress

Does your child have too much to do? School, homework, sports or coaching. Children have a lot of opportunities these days but less and less time to fit everything in. This can cause stress and can be a major cause of sleep problems in children as there is no time left at the end of the day to unwind.

The link between obesity and childhood sleep apnea

Overweight children can be prone to childhood sleep apnea which is a serious disease where the body doesn’t get enough oxygen. Not many people realize children can suffer with sleep apnea but it’s a real risk for overweight children. Best remedies are lots of exercise and less junk food. Oh! and please take them to the doctor if you suspect childhood sleep apnea.

There is also a link between overweight kids and other sleep problems due to metabolism and also hormone function. These theories are being tested still but may be due to sleep deprived children needing to overeat to create energy for day to day living.

Childhood nightmares

Dreams are a necessary and natural way to process what happens in our lives, but does your child have nightmares or bad dreams? Kids who have nightmares regularly, sometimes resist the urge to sleep because they are afraid of scary dreams.

These are some of the reasons your child may be sleep deprived. As you’ve probably figured out they also apply to us adults!

Child sleep problems can affect the whole family, not to mention your child’s wellbeing. Visit your resource for good sleep advice and articles. Wendy Owen is a health researcher and author.