Pediatric Sleep Questions and Answers

While occasional sleeplessness may not be a reason to bring your child to a sleep specialist, when children continuously fail to get the sleep they need, it can have an impact on many parts of their life, including their ability to forge strong relationships with their peers and excel in school. It is estimated that up to half of children will experience sleep issues at some point. Obstructive sleep apnea can impact children’s ability to breathe, leading to behavioral issues as they struggle to overcome their exhaustion. Parasomnias are also very common in children and include things like sleep terrors, sleep talking, sleepwalking, and others. Most parasomnias will resolve as your child grows up, but relying on an effective sleep specialist can help you make sure your child gets the sleep he or she needs to rest well and excel in their daily life.

Sleep hygiene is a term that refers to the habits and practices you can put in place to help your child sleep normally. Many children will suffer from insomnia as a result of negative behaviors they have learned that keep them from being able to effectively achieve sleep on a routine schedule. Sleep hygiene can mean developing a calming and restful nighttime routine and maintaining a consistent sleep/wake schedule, even on weekends. Some people may use a gentle melatonin supplement to encourage good sleep or bright light therapy to help their child’s body understand when it is time to be alert and awake. Other sleep conditions, like restless leg syndrome, can be difficult to diagnose, but working closely with a pediatric sleep specialist can ensure your child receives the care they need to sleep better than ever. At Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders, we are proud to help children and their parents understand their sleep needs, so we can work as a team to ensure they get the rest that is necessary for them to function at their optimum level.

The amount of sleep your child should be getting each night will depend on their age. Infants and toddlers need a lot of sleep, which can be achieved not only during overnight hours, but also by scheduling several naps throughout the day. Children between 3-5 years old will often require up to 10-12 hours of sleep every night as they still require a lot of rest, but will generally stop napping sometime in this age range. Even children up to 13 years of age should aim to sleep for at least 9 hours each night.

If you think that your child may be suffering from a sleep disorder, Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders offers you access to experienced sleep doctors at convenient locations across the country. Call us today to find a sleep doctor near you.