little girl sits at a desk falling asleep on top of a pile of books

THE SIGNS

OF SLEEP ISSUES IN CHILDREN

IS YOUR CHILD HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING?

Child sleep problems are hard to detect because they can remain hidden behind so many other childhood difficulties.

Like a thief in the night, disrupted sleep robs your child of the rest they need for healthy growth and development.

SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Behavioral Issues

Good sleep is necessary for your child’s health, growth, and wellbeing. However, getting your child to sleep is not always an easy task. Many children in the United States have sleep problems.

These disorders range from insomnia and sleep deprivation to obstructive sleep apnea or several pauses in breathing that can result in behavioral issues. Children who don’t get enough sleep may be overactive and non-compliant. Insomnia in kids can make them become very moody or grouchy, as well.

Sleep disorders impact your child’s behavior. If your child isn’t getting the recommended amount of sleep often, they may have difficulties with their attention span and mood.

Snoring

Snoring in children is a common condition. Approximately 10% or more of children are habitual snorers or snore at least three to four times a week. A child snoring may sound cute and even funny, but children who snore habitually may experience problems with poor school performance and bedwetting.

Some children who are suffering from snoring caused by sleep disorders are often misdiagnosed with ADHD or other conditions with symptoms of inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

As a parent, you should be aware of your children’s snoring. Snoring in children not only causes significant disruption of their sleep, but can also lead to health conditions that affect their brains and hearts.

Bed Wetting

Bed wetting, or enuresis, is an embarrassing issue for kids that’s actually quite common. 5 to 7 million children experience wetting their bed. 15% of them wet their bed by the age of 5, while only 5% of kids do when they reach the ages of 8 to 11.

Bed wetting can be a symptom of an underlying disease. It doesn’t mean that the child is doing it on purpose or too lazy to go to the bathroom.

Rest assured, if your child has started to wet the bed, there’s a reason behind it. Our experienced sleep specialists can help determine the cause and provide an effective solution.

Speech Difficulties

Sleep is as important as eating and drinking. Similar to adults, children need enough sleep at night in order to develop and function properly. Unlike adults, children need to have more than nine hours of sleep every night to regenerate the neurons in their brain.

Loss of sleep can cause a delay in children’s speech processing ability, leading to slurring and stuttering. A study showed that 40% of patients diagnosed with sleep apnea experienced speech impairments like stuttering since childhood. Sleep apnea damages the brain region that regulates breathing and speech, causing children to stutter and face difficulty speaking clearly.

Lethargic or Tired

If your child is feeling exhausted all day or if they’re waking up tired with no energy most of the time, there’s a problem behind it. Most children are normally full of energy, so it’s unusual for them experience tiredness or lethargy on a regular basis.

There are many factors that can cause your child’s tiredness or fatigue. It can be because of a busy schedule in school, feeling hungry, or most commonly, not getting enough sleep at night. Children suffering from tiredness or lethargy have a noticeable drop in energy levels.

Also, they might suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness. If you notice that your child is constantly feeling tired, it’s a good idea to talk to a sleep expert immediately.

HELP IS HERE — OUR EXPERTS ARE READY

If your child is having sleep problems, it’s important to act now. Their well-being as they grow and develop can be impacted by a lack of sleep. To learn more about childhood sleep issues and your options, contact our office by calling (410) 964-3118. You can also reach us by filling out our online contact form.

Signs of Childhood Sleep Issues