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How a Pediatric Sleep Specialist Can Help Your Child’s Sleep?

by hussain

According to the sleep specialist “Pregnant women often hear “get some good sleep because as soon as the baby arrives, you will probably never be able to get sound sleep again”. New parents, especially mothers, hear this from time to time. However, it is expected for the new mothers to experience very little to no sleep, because of the newborn and their responsibilities.

It is understandable that you are not able to sleep properly because you are waiting for your child to sleep. But is your child sleeping not all? And is that why you are not sleeping?
This is where a pediatric sleep specialist comes into play. A pediatric sleep specialist will guide you thoroughly about the sleep disorders in children, their management, and encouragement of better sleep.

If you are located in Michigan then you can find the best sleep medicine specialist at Lung and Sleep center Michigan. Their pediatrics doctors are the masters of their own field. They offer full-scale, empathetic and high-quality sleep service care to their patients.

Most importantly they will inform you when to involve a pediatric sleep specialist in the process so that your child’s sleep issues can be fixed.

Sleep Disorders in Children:

By sleep disorders we mean those conditions that create a disruption in accustomed sleep patterns. In the absence of regular and tranquil sleep, children can face unhealthy effects in their growth and development. Restless and incomplete sleep will cause a child bad mood swings throughout the day as well. Following are some of the most common sleep disorders faced by children.

Sleep Apnea

Snoring is very common amongst children. Almost thirty percent of the children usually snore. The reasons for snoring can be enlarged tonsils, swollen adenoids or any respiratory allergies. Mild snoring is treatable and doesn’t ring a bell. However, if the child’s snoring is so loud or they cannot breath during sleep causing them to constantly wakeup, could mean they have sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a known sleep disorder in children which is recognized by the persistent gaps in a child’s breath during the whole night. Each break or gap is called apnea. It deciphers that the child’s airway is getting interrupted due to certain reasons and the air is not able to pass through it. Which is why the child experiences apnea multiple times during the night. Sleep apnea leads to a very restless sleep and the child is not able to get complete rest.

Nocturnal Enuresis or Bedwetting

Nocturnal enuresis is spontaneous urination that occurs during night. Why is this abnormal because involuntary urination shouldn’t happen after a certain age and a child should be able to control their bladder. The age limit is six to seven years for a child to control their urination. Continuously waking up due to bedwetting can disturb a child’s sleep.

Pediatric Insomnia

Insomnia is the incapacity to sleep or wake up earlier than usual. There are three different known patterns of insomnia which occur in children. The first pattern is usually in which a child is having a difficult sleep altogether. This is known as the onset pattern. The second pattern is in which the child tends to stay awake all night. This is known as the middle pattern. The third pattern is in which the child wakes up quite early in the morning.

Nightmares in Children

A disturbed and terrifying dream that is attached with pessimistic feelings such as apprehension and fear and wakes you up is known as a nightmare. Children who experience nightmares cannot go back to sleep because they are already freaked out. Nightmares usually give children a sense of anxiety around sleep because they fear that they will experience another nightmare as soon as they go back to sleep. Nightmares most commonly occur earlier in the morning.

Night Terrors in Children

An interference in the sleep that appears similar to a nightmare but is a lot more melodramatic is known as night terrors. Children can experience brief episodes of screaming and shouting, sleepwalking and flogging for a few minutes before they sleep again. Night terrors can occur within three hours of falling asleep. The child who experienced night terror will not be able recall it. Night terrors can be scary, but they are not harmful to anyone. However, they can potentially impart a negative effect on a child’s sleeping schedule.

Restless Leg Syndrome

A sleep disorder in which a person can feel tingling sensation in their legs at night and can cause restive and uneasy sleep is known as Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS). Almost 90% of the children move their limbs while sleeping if they are facing RLS which will eventually affect their sleep.

Sleepwalking and Talking

When a child wakes up suddenly during night hours, but they are not aware of their actions is called pediatric sleepwalking. The child can have a whole conversation with you but they will not be able to recognize you. Children appear to be irritated and angry during sleepwalking, but they will not remember anything once they wake up in the morning. Children that sleep talk sometimes speak so loudly that they shake themselves awake.

Why Sleep Disorders in Children Can Be Concerning?

Sleep disorders in growing children can be concerning and worrisome. They disturb the child’s sleep the whole night and negatively impact their mood throughout the day. Sleep plays an important role in the growth and development of a child. It can have a direct effect on a child’s contentment, cheerfulness, vigilance, temper, spirit, vocabulary and learning. Continuous intrusions in a child’s sleep throughout the night means that they will not be able to complete their full length sleep cycle in a regular pattern which is important for their growth and development.

Ways in Which Can Parents Encourage Good Sleep:

Stick to a fixed sleep schedule for bed every night. Don’t deviate from it. Don’t make exceptions on weekends.
Try giving your child a warm bath or read them a story to curate a soothing bedtime routine for them.
Avoid giving food or drinks to children at least less than six hours before bedtime.
Keep the room dark and temperature stable.
Avoid any unnecessary noise in the house.
Turn off TV and video games prior to one hour of sleep. Avoid any sort of music while children are going to bed.
Try to put your child to sleep if they appear too tired but still awake.

When to Include a Pediatric Sleep Specialist in the Process?

When you observe that your child is having trouble sleeping, try to create a better sleep schedule for them. However, if your child is suffering from any of the above-mentioned sleep disorders. Then you should definitely consider speaking to a pediatric sleep specialist.

A Pediatric Sleep Specialist will aid you in understanding the disorder and will guide you through and through during the treatment.

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