Have a Snoring Toddler? It May Be Hurting Their Sleep

  

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Does your snoring toddler seem overtired or irritable even after a full night's rest?

While only around 3 percent of children actually have sleep apnea- a sleep disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing or instances of abnormally low breathing- 15 percent of children do snore during sleep.

The sounds may be amusing to hear, but they could be damaging the quality of your child's sleep. 

Researchers at Monash University in Melbourne studied 172 children aged two to five and found differences in the brain waves of mild snorers compared to non-snorers.

The study found that children who are just mild snorers suffer the same lack of quality of sleep as the 3 percent actually diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Lead researchers of the study Sarah Briggs said "What we found was that in the children who are primary (mild) snorers the changes in their brain waves in their deep sleep are different to those in healthy children who don't snore. Those children are going to bed sleepier than healthy children and they are not meeting their sleep needs over the night."

While parents of children with sleep apnea usually seek medical attention, parents of children who only mildly snore may not know that their child's sleep is affected. 

If your child snores, even mildly, consult your family physician about techniques that could lead to a better night's sleep.