Toddler Sleep Disorders - How to Detect a Problem and Get the Right Help

During each stage of life, various conditions can arise that affect children in different ways. Each aged child will respond differently to these conditions. Toddler sleep disorders are very similar to disorders in any other stage of development. Treatments do vary due to a toddler still growing and the consistent changes their body is going through. The easiest way to avoid a sleep disorder and evaluation by a sleep clinic is to prevent a disorder from ever starting. Training your child to sleep alone and fall back asleep on their own make a big different on whether or not your child suffers with one of these conditions. Establishing a good sleep routine is one of the best things you can do for your child to ensure good sleep and healthy growth.

Some basic guidelines can help you work with your child and introduce a good routine. Nighttime contact should be limited. Consistent holding, rocking, and petting can lead to your child expecting and needed those actions to fall asleep. This dependence will prevent them from being able to fall asleep on their own when bed time arrives. Plain and unexciting rituals should be used right before bed. These can be things such as a prayer, story time, or a bath. They need to be done every night so your child feels comfortable and secure. Do not allow beverages with caffeine. Regular habits and bed times help the body adjust and make sleep and waking more natural. Their bed should be used for sleeping and not play time. When a child spends a lot of time in bed awake, sleeping there becomes less likely.

Not all toddler sleep disorders can be avoided. Parasomnias, apnea, and nightmares are all common. Most parasomnias including night terrors and sleep walking resolve themselves. If they are severely disrupting your child's sleep, discussing options to reduce occurrences or minimize the affects with your doctor is highly recommended. Apnea and other sleep conditions are may require evaluation by a sleep clinic and specific treatments to make sleeping easier and more welcoming to your child. If you are concerned that your toddler might be suffering from a sleep disorder, monitor their sleep for a few nights to see if there are any visible symptoms. Take note of any noticed symptoms and discuss them with their doctor.

Sometimes further testing is needed to determine the cause of sleep disturbances. A pediatrician will often test for other medical conditions that could be contributing to the problem. They may recommend changes that can be tried at home to help. For more severe issues, a referral to a specialist can be made. These specialists are familiar with all disorders that affect toddlers and children in general. They have access to specific facilities that make testing and diagnosis easier. Your child can be monitored with equipment and the naked eye as they sleep in a comfortable environment. These test results are used to determine if a disorder exists, its severity, and what treatment options are available. With some simple testing, your child can be sleeping well again and have everything they need to lead a more healthy life.