Is your toddler's snoring a problem?

Typically, excessive night waking is due to a disrupted circadian clock, and can be dealt with by applying the strategies we discuss in The Possums Sleep Program.

Occasionally, a toddler is woken repeatedly in the night by his own snoring. If your toddler is snoring alot in the night, ask your local GP to check him over.

Catching a cold or viral infection blocks up nasal passages and makes your little one snore when sleeping. Many children have a run of viral infections when they start daycare, or because older siblings bring home coughs and colds. You probably know from experience how viral infections really do interfere for a time with your toddler's sleep. Thankfully, this usually passes within a few days. In my view, we are best avoiding 'snot removers' and nasal saline applications in babies, toddlers, and small children.

Some little ones develop enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids over time, perhaps from repeated viral infections or for reasons that aren't clear. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids often interfere with easy breathing through the nasal passageways. That's when you hear snoring, as a pattern night after night. You might also notice your child breathes through the mouth when sleeping.

If this is the case, it's time to see your local GP, who will make sure there isn't an allergic inflammation of the nasal passages. If your GP is concerned that your toddler has a true adenotonsillitis, which hasn't resolved over time, then she is likely to refer you to a sleep medicine service for sleep studies. Usually doctors wait until your child is 30 months or older before considering an adenotonsillectomy. Your doctor might suggest you try a nasal steroid, to see if that helps your little one's snoring.

Even if it seems that snoring is the main reason for disruptions to your toddler's sleep, I recommend making sure that his body clock is set to align with yours, as best you can, by working through The Possums Sleep Program, to enjoy the best possible sleep you can while you're moving through the health system to have your little one's airway passages attended to.

Children who are born with medical problems (like Down's syndrome, micrognathia, or cerebral palsy) might have sleep problems related to their condition. Even so, it is very helpful to understand how to keep your child's body clock aligned with your own, again by working through The Possums Sleep Program. Our little ones with special needs often require specialised sleep services.

Reference

Chawla J, Waters KA. Snoring in children. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. 2015;51:847-851.