Q: Which doctor should we consult if our child is having a sleep problem?
A: You can consult your pediatrician who can help you to resolve behavioral sleep problems. If he suspects any other sleep disorder he may refer you to a sleep expert.
Q: How will we know if our child is getting adequate sleep?
A: If your child can go to bed and fall asleep easily, wake up easily, and not be tired during the day, then they're getting enough sleep.
Q: My daughter seems to sleep less than the average amount of sleep needed for her age group - is this normal?
A: Different people need different amounts of sleep. Charts may list the average amount of sleep for each age group. The best way to tell if your child is getting enough sleep is to look at how they act while they are awake.
Q: My son snores at night. The snoring follows a waxing and waning pattern. Is the snoring disturbing his sleep?
A: If your child is obese and is snoring excessively than the possibility of obstructive sleep apnea needs to be considered. The waxing and waning pattern of snoring could be due to repeated arousals from sleep or due to changes in position while sleeping.
Q: Can medications help my child to sleep better?
A: Research has shown that behavioral treatments work better, and have longer lasting effects than medicines. Behavioral treatments are based on good sleep time strategies. If your child needs more than a behavioral program to help him fall asleep you will need to consult a sleep specialist.
Q: Is a child susceptible to insomnia?
A: Insomnia (having trouble to fall asleep and to stay asleep) can occur to a child due to stress, use of caffeine and other stimulants, side effects of certain medications and certain other medical problems. Establishing a good sleep regime and behavioral and cognitive therapy without medications may help in curing the disorder.
Q: Are attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and sleeping problems related?
A: Yes, children affected by ADHD have higher rates of daytime sleepiness and sleep disordered breathing. ADHD has also been linked with restless legs syndrome and periodic leg movement syndrome.
