How to Stop a Child from Snoring

We have all heard someone we know snore while they sleep. Sometimes it simply sounds like they are breathing a little heavy, while at other times the noise sounds like they are operating heavy machinery. For both extremes and every case in between, snoring is a result of an obstruction in the airways of the nose or the mouth.

However, there is not a singular factor that causes these blockages in the airways. Per this WebMD article, here are a few factors that can work alone or together to cause the blockage that causes snoring:

– Obstructed nasal airways
– Poor muscle tone in the throat and tongue
– Bulky throat tissue
– Long soft palate and uvula

Your child may also be a habitual snorer because of sleep disordered breathing (SDB), a condition that reveals itself through a variety of different symptoms, depending on the child. Snoring is one of the symptoms, but many significant, seemingly unrelated problems (bed-wetting, behavioral problems, etc.) can stem from the condition.

An important point to make is that occasional snoring is not a problem. If you notice that your child is snoring one night, you should not assume that they are dealing with a dangerous health problem or that they are at risk. Simply pay attention to see if the snoring is consistent or a one-time fluke.

For instance, one of the most common culprits of snoring is nasal congestion. So, let’s say that your child is fighting a head cold or dealing with allergies. They will be much more likely to snore when they sleep, but that snoring is not dangerous and does not put your child at risk for other negative repercussions.

However, if you notice that your child is consistently or habitually snoring, then you should begin paying close attention and monitoring the situation carefully. Failing to notice or take action could lead to negative repercussions. Here are a few common negative repercussions associated with habitual snoring, particularly in children.

Behavioral Issues

As this article from the University of Michigan Health Lab points out, snoring can disrupt your child’s sleep, causing them to behave in less than ideal ways. For instance, if you notice that your child has been habitually snoring AND is having a hard time focusing at school, then you should consult with or visit one of our sleep centers.

Focus is not the only behavioral problem that can stem from your child’s habitual snoring. Hyperactive and disruptive behavior often occur. Additionally, if you notice that your child is both habitually snoring AND participating in bullying behaviors, there may be a connection between the two. As a parent, it is important that you don’t view these behavioral issues as separate or unrelated from snoring.

Sleep Apnea

While it is a much rarer, more extreme repercussion of habitual snoring, sleep apnea does have the potential to negatively impact your child. The previously mentioned WebMD article shares some alarming potential effects that can come with sleep apnea:

– Interruptions of breathing.
– Frequent waking up.
– Poor night’s sleep.
– Hypertension.

Your child’s habitual snoring can put your child at risk, as well as serve as a symptom of another problem. Thus, if you notice that your child is consistently or habitually snoring when they sleep, you should take action.

KoalaKIDZzz® is a department within our Koala Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders. At KoalaKIDZzz®, we care about your child’s long-term health, comfort, and quality of sleep. Our comprehensive solutions involve treatments that involve neither surgery nor prescriptions. We want to ensure that your child not only improves their sleeping and the negative life effects stemming from that, but also help with other developmental issues:

– Promote correct oral habits
– Allow for proper facial and airway development
– Help straighten teeth, eliminating the need for braces

If you notice that your child is a habitual snorer, it is important that you take this issue seriously and respond by scheduling an appointment with one of our locations across the country. Just like you, our qualified teams are passionate about your child’s long-term sleep quality, comfort, and overall health.