Overview Regarding Sleeping Disorders in Children

There are various sleep disorders that are prevalent in children and major part of it can be attributed to their fear of the dark. The children who have fear from the dark suffer from the worse sleep disorder. However, night terrors are the worst condition in which the child gets up screaming in terror to free from a frightening dream.

Various sleep disorders are listed below that lead to many problems in children.

Sleep Talking or Walking: This is one of the most common sleep disorders in children. Medical name of sleep walking is ‘somnambulism’. Though it is not harmful but needs special care on part of the parents for the children so as to provide them a safe and healthy environment. Both the disorders i.e. sleeping with open eyes and talking while sleep may seem weird but there is nothing unusual and usually do not cause any harm to the children.

Bruxism: Bruxism which is gnashing and crushing the teeth at the time of sleep. It is very disturbing and irritating sleep disorder and may end up in causing dental problems in children.

Head Banging or Rolling: Most of the children are head bangers or rollers, particularly when they are lacking sleep. Generally it is a harmless habit and they will grow out of it before they gain maturity.

Bedwetting and Enuresis: Bedwetting is also most widespread sleep disorder in most children. But it is very humiliating as well as embarrassing for children and troublesome for parents particularly when children grow older. This is usually a medical problem and is treated mainly with the doctor’s prescription.

Gastroesophageal Reflux (Or Heartburn): It is also known as heart burn in simple terms and is common in both children and adults. It can be hazardous, especially for children who are sleeping. Actually, in this type of disorder the acids in the stomach might regurgitate into the throat at the time of sleeping. Also, it may be an indication of some underlying medical problem which might need surgery.

Restless Leg Syndrome or Periodic Limb Movement: Both these disorders are very distressing for parents as well as the children. In this the sufferer has an urge to move the leg, which causes insomnia, sleepwalking and night terrors.

Nocturnal Seizures or Nocturnal Asthma: Seizures and asthma are terrifying problems at anytime. Nocturnal seizures and Nocturnal asthma are troublesome for both parents as well as children as they lead to sleep disorder and many other problems. In either of the case, it is essential that the child is taken under a proper medical care.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): It is the deadly and the worst sleep disorder and is abbreviated as SIDS. Due to SIDS many children die and is commonly known as crib death. Its treatment and cause is not much known by the doctors.

This is just a brief overview regarding various children sleep disorders. Some of which are not harmful while some may prove deadly, so it is must to seek the help of a qualified practitioner if your child is facing any of the sleep disorders.

A Child Sleep Disorder Can Cause Educational Interferenc

Many children have sleep disorders that interrupt their lives, and those of their parents and siblings as well. A child sleep disorder can make life very difficult and interfere with the necessities of life. Parents who worry about the child sleep disorders in their family might rest assured that they are not alone. Many parents face similar problems. One of the main child sleep disorders that parents face is a child cannot sleep through the night. Most parents do not want their child to be awake in the middle of the night by themselves so this problem can affect their sleep as well.

The problems with some children are just part of their makeup because they do not sleep well through the night. Adults and children have sleep cycles that go between deep sleep and light sleep. The deep sleep cycle is when a person dreams. During the light sleep cycle, the child is more likely to wake up. Since each person goes through several of these cycles during the night, there are several times during the night when the child sleep disorder might occur. Infants do not usually sleep through the night for some time. These small babies have a light sleep cycle every fifty minutes. Parents of infants all know that this is the case, and they work to get their child on the proper sleep cycle.

A Child Sleep Disorder Can Interrupt the Necessary Amount of Sleep

Children need much more sleep than their parents although sometimes they want to stay up as long as their parents stay awake. A child in school needs between nine and twelve hours of sleep every night. They need at least nine hours to be ready to participate properly in school activities. There are many children who do not get this amount of sleep, and many of these do not do as well in school because of this. Children who are getting enough sleep will wake up easily. All parents who have trouble getting their children to wake up should know that their children need more sleep.

Children should also be able to fall asleep quickly. If they toss and turn for more than thirty minutes before they fall asleep, there is some kind of a problem. Children should be able to stay awake throughout the day if they are getting enough, proper sleep at night. There is information that a substantial number of children are not alert at school and that their drowsiness interferes with their education to some extent.

Sleep Apnea In Children Can Cause Significantly Lower IQ Scores

Although it has been known for some time now that children with sleep apnea often produce poor scores on IQ tests (typically scoring an average of 85 against a score of 101 for children without sleep apnea) what has not been known until recently is that this results from chemical changes within the brain. This means that an otherwise 'smart' kid may well turn in a mediocre performance as a result of nothing more than a sleep disorder which, in most cases, can be quite easily treated.

In a study conducted at the Hopkin's Children's Centre in Baltimore, 31 children between the ages of 6 and 16 (19 of whom had severe sleep apnea) were examined using a special form or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and it was found that those children with sleep apnea showed significant changes in both the hippocampus and right frontal cortex - two areas of the brain associated with learning and higher mental function. The same study also discovered that these children had altered levels of three chemicals within the brain, indicative of brain damage.

This alteration of the brain chemistry brought about by the presence of sleep apnea may or may not be permanent and, at this stage, further studies are required to see whether or not this effect can be reversed. However, even if reversal is possible and the brain chemistry and cognitive function can be returned to normal, children with sleep apnea will suffer a loss in learning as long as they are suffering from untreated sleep apnea and they will certainly not be able to wind back the clock and regain this period of learning.

Parents should of course already be on the lookout for signs of sleep apnea in their children, but this latest study clearly indicates that an early diagnosis and treatment of this sleep disorder could have a very significant affect on a child's success in life.

The signs of sleep apnea include frequent pauses in breathing during sleep which often result in an arousal from sleep and tossing and turning in bed. Children may also display loud or labored breathing, snoring, coughing, gasping and, occasionally, bedwetting at an age when this phase should normally have passed. Parents may also notice a child sleeping in an odd position, perhaps with their bottom sticking up in the air and their head tilted back in an unconscious effort to force their airway open.

In most cases sleep apnea in children can be treated by the surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids, or excess tissue from the back of the throat or nose. In addition, a continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) machine may also be used to provide the child with a flow of air delivered through a mask worn while sleeping to keep the airway open.

Sleep apnea is in itself debilitating for any child and the effects of night after night of inadequate sleep will take their toll on your child. However, when this is combined with an impairment of your child's IQ, it becomes imperative that you act at the earliest possible opportunity to have this condition diagnosed and treated.

Baby Sleep Tips - Some Tricks for the Transition To Solitary Sleep

As a new parent, one of your priorities will be to establish good sleeping habits with your newborn. Your baby needs to learn to sleep on his own; the transition from sleeping with his mother to sleeping by himself takes some time. Of course, as add added bonus, if you get your baby to learn to sleep on his own you will also get some much needed rest yourself.

To instill good sleeping habits in your baby, research and try to employ different baby sleep tips: try a lot of things and see what works for you, and don't be afraid to trust your instincts. Many baby sleep tips center on the idea of establishing routines and associations for your child between nighttime and sleep.

The sooner you child begins to associate bedtime with sleep, the more likely he is to be able to go to sleep without a fuss. A period that is often overlooked, however, in establishing day vs. night associations, is the period of "transition" - that is, the one between being awake and falling asleep.

Here are some transitioning techniques to try: Try what is sometimes called "fathering down." Just before placing the baby into bed, the father should cradle the baby in such a way that the baby's head rests on the father neck. The father should then talk gently to the child. Because the male's voice is much deeper than the female's, babies are often more soothed by it, and will fall asleep more easily after being exposed to it for some time.

You can also try what is sometimes referred to as "wearing down." This is effective if your baby has been active throughout the day and is too excited to go to bed easily. All you have to do is place your baby in a sling or carrier - "wear him" in other words - for about half an hour before his bedtime.

Simply go about your regular household activities: being close to a parent and slowly rocked about before bedtime will provide your child with an easier transition from being awake to being asleep. Finally, if you've exhausted other options, you can go for the tried and true method of "driving down."

Most parents are probably familiar with this as a last resort: place your baby in the car and drive around for awhile until he falls asleep. This one, while inconvenient, usually works every time, and if you desperately need some sleep it can be a godsend. Obviously, you don't want to do things like drive around every night to get your child to sleep. Nor do you want to have to carry him around in a sling. The idea, though, is to start with these more drastic techniques and then slowly ease out of them.

Keep in mind what a major transition your baby is going through when he is tiny: he's never slept on his own before. He simply doesn't know how to transition himself from being awake to being asleep. By employing these transition techniques you will be slowly teaching him how to do so, and as they are gradually removed your baby will learn good sleeping habits, which will ensure that both you and your child get a good night's rest.

Baby Sleep and Daytime Feedings, The Connection

As a parent, it is important that you establish good sleep habits for your baby. All babies experience a transition period during which they adjust from sleeping with their mothers to sleeping by themselves. You can facilitate this process and help your child to develop better sleep habits.

Your efforts will also let you get some more rest yourself! Parents should keep in mind that no recommendations about a baby's sleep should be viewed as a hard-and-fast rule. Your instincts as a parent should guide you. As a new parent, you may feel insecure about the decisions you make, but it is important that you think about any baby sleep advice in terms of your own parental instincts.

Your baby's feeding routine is one of the first things to consider when attempting to encourage better sleeping habits in your baby. Often, a baby will be active and busy during the day and not feed much. This means, however, that the baby will wake up over and over during the night to be fed.

Therefore, one method for getting your baby to sleep at night is to make sure that regular feedings occur during the day. Try feeding the baby every three hours. This ensures that the baby's hunger is relieved, and it also works to create a stronger association with feeding during the daytime. If your baby does wake up in the night to be fed, try to encourage him or her to take a full feeding the first time he or she wakes up.

This method keeps the baby from waking up every few hours for snacking. These recommendations are only meant as guidance, not as rules set in stone. Generally, you want to establish daytime and sleep-time associations for the baby. You want the baby to know that feeding and play are things that occur during the day, while baths, lullabies, and sleep are things that happen at night.

Encouraging these associations means that the transition between waking and sleeping is easier. If your baby doesn't want to feed every three hours, of course, don't think that you must force him or her to do so. Additionally, don't feel like you must force a full feeding on the baby when he or she wakes at night. Consider the overall goal, which is to create general associations and habits that will result in healthy and quick sleep-pattern development.

Kids' Snoring Is on the Rise... But Why?

Most parents, at some point during the night, sneak into the room and listen to their children sleeping as they check to make sure they’re safe and sound. For many parents, it’s the only time they manage to see their children peaceful and quiet. Unfortunately, there’s been a rather alarming increase in childhood snoring as well as sleep apnea that has many parents afraid for the health of their children.

The rise in childhood obesity is a definite issue to consider when evaluating possible causes in the rise in childhood snoring as well as sleep apnea. It’s a very logical explanation, particularly in light of the correlation between obesity and apnea in adults. There will probably be greater numbers of reported snoring among children who are overweight as well as an increased number of cases where apnea is present.

There’s another possibility that is being given some considerable attention as well. NBC reported that some instances of sleep apnea in children could be the direct result of fewer tonsillectomies being performed.

The vast majority of sleep apnea cases are obstructive sleep apnea, which means that something is blocking the airways. It’s a logical conclusion that tonsils can be the culprits in many of these cases. Children who would have had their tonsils removed in decades past are keeping them, only to find that larger problems loom as the result.

Snoring in and of itself isn’t dangerous and there can be numerous reasons why your child is snoring. He or she could simply have a cold, which inhibits their ability to breath.

You could also find that your child is sleeping in a position that doesn’t provide the best possible environment for deep breathing that’s associated with sleep. Don’t panic if you’ve heard your child snoring for a night or two - just begin to pay attention.

If he quits breathing during the night and suddenly gasps for air or he’s becoming more and more tired throughout the day, you should consult your doctor immediately to rule out the possibility of sleep apnea.

Childhood sleep apnea is more than a health problem, though that alone is enough to worry most parents. It can inhibit learning and proper growth. A good nights’ sleep is vital to growing bodies and if your child isn’t breathing properly, he isn’t getting that restful sleep that’s so important.

A short attention span is one of many problems. This often exhibits itself in manners that are seen as behavioral problems and an inability to focus and concentrate on lessons and in school. Other problems that are associated with childhood sleep apnea include high blood pressure, obesity, and on the opposite end of the scale, an inability to gain weight properly.

Sleep apnea in children is no laughing matter. If you suspect that your child may have this problem, you should seek medical care immediately. If nothing else, you can work to rule out this life threatening condition and obtain peace of mind. Otherwise, you have discovered the problem and can begin treating it before it’s too late.

Creating Healthy Sleep Habits for your Children

This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding healthy sleep habits. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about healthy sleep habits to children. Healthy sleep habits for children are as significant as they are a necessary for health, proper growth and well-being.

Children, who get sufficient amount sleep every night function better throughout the day, are more alert, and their concentration, performance and memory are better than those who don’t sleep well. As well children with sleep problems are less likely to develop behavioral problems of any kind, moodiness, anxiety or depression.

The needs of sleep differ from child to child but school age children in general require in the area of nine to twelve hours of sleep per night. Consider these things if you are unsure whether or not your child is getting enough sleep every night.

• If he/she wakes up easily in the morning that is a good sign
• If he/she is wide awake, energetic and alert throughout the school day then the nighttime sleep is sufficient.
• If a child can fall asleep within a period of fifteen minutes to a half an hour than he or she is getting enough sleep

It is significant to explain to your child why getting enough sleep every night is significant, not only in terms of his/her health but also for performance in school and other activities such as sports, music, playtime, etc.
Bedtime Routines
Above all else developing and following a routine before bedtime is the number one tip to encourage good sleep habits in your child is to. A routine is good for children because children like predictability and a bedtime routine makes it easier for a kid to calm down after their busy day, crawl into bed and drift off to sleep.

A typical bedtime routine for a child should look something like this- a light snack, a relaxing bath, dry off and put on pajamas, wash face and brush teeth, read a bedtime story and then it’s good night and lights out.
Same Bedtime
Stick to the same bedtime every night. An occasional change in the bedtime routine, such as when grandparents visit or during a holiday weekend is one thing, but for the most part, a consistent routine is best.
Children’s Bedroom
Always make sure that a child’s room is at a comfortable temperature and that it is peaceful and quiet. Also many children do not want to be left in the total darkness while they sleep so getting a nightlight is a worthwhile purchase to make.
Stress
Stress can cause sleepless nights for children so always encourage your son or daughter to talk with you about any concerns or worries he or she is having, whether they be family problems, school related problems and so on.

You may not consider everything you just read to be crucial information about healthy sleep habits for your children. But don't be surprised if you find yourself recalling and using this very information in the next few days.
Cut-off Time for Entertainment
It is an excellent idea to devise a specific cut-off time for entertainment for your child, in terms of television, video games, and the computer and so on. It is not a good idea to have a television or a computer in a child’s bedroom, as they can be easily distracted or tempted to play after they are told, “Enough for today.”

It is an even better idea to cease television, computer or videos an hour before bedtime in order to make the preparation for sleep a calm and relaxing experience. A child does not need anything stimulating before bedtime.
Sleep Disorders for Children
Children can suffer from sleep disorders just like people of any age can. Sleep apnea, insomnia, enuresis (bed wetting), bruxism (teeth grinding), asthma that is nocturnal in nature and nightmares can all occur in children.

You make a visit to the doctor to decide upon a course of action, the better, if your child is having problems with sleep the sooner.
Educate Your Child about Sleep
Try to make the whole sleep experience as positive and uplifting as can be. Encourage your child to learn how to fall asleep on his/her own and not to need to rely on you.

Research has proven that a child sleeping in a parent’s bed runs a risk of them suffocating or being strangled and also fosters dependence to an unhealthy extent. None of these things are as likely to happen when the child is alone in their own bed.

It is the kid who can be alone and fall asleep by him/herself who learns better how to cope with moments when he or she is awakened during the night. The only time that you might want to stay with your child until they fall asleep is if they are sick or extremely fearful.

Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.