Common Sleep Disorders

Overview

There are multiple types of sleep events that can disrupt your child’s sleep. Here are a few you might encounter as your child grows.

Arousal Confusion

  • Typically starts in toddlerhood
  • Usually within 2-3 hours of going to sleep
    • can also occur when awakening your child from sleep 
  • Events include:
    • sitting up in bed
    • crying out
    • confusion
    • inconsolable regardless of your efforts to soothe
    • Typically last 5-30 minutes, before going back to sleep or soothing
  • Child usually does not remember the event the next day
  • Gradually decrease with age

Nightmares

  • Most common between 3-6 years old
  • Occur in the second part of the night when dreams are most intense
  • Go to them, listen to their fears, reassure them, remind them dreams are not real and they are safe!
  • Allow for comfort measures
    • e.g. night lights, special stuffed animals or blanket, etc
  • Reassure and encourage them to go back to sleep
  • Child may remember these dreams in the morning
    • Be open to talking if they ask you questions, affirm their feelings, and remind them dreams are not real and they are safe!

Night Terrors

  • Most common between 4-12 years old
  • Occur in the first 3-4 hours of sleep
  • Events include:
    • Abrupt waking from sleep with a loud scream, extreme agitation, sweating, and crying
    • No reaction to parents' attempts to soothe and calm
    • Attempts to intervene can worsen the agitation.
      • For this reason, it's most important to ensure your child is in a safe area, without the possibility of injury.
        • Ensure their bed and their room is set up without objects that could be obstructions or cause injury.
        • Consider placing their mattress on the floor to avoid injury.
  • Child usually does not remember the event the next day.
  • Gradually decrease with age.

Sleepwalking

  • Most common between 8-12 years old
  • Occur within the first few hours of sleep 
  • Be aware, your child may unknowingly walk or run around the home, attempt to go outside, prepare and eat food, or perform complex tasks that could be harmful.
    • Gate your stairs
    • Close and lock windows
    • Remove sharp objects
    • Lock doors or add alarms to remove access to outside of the house
  • Attempts to restrain or awaken them can exacerbate the event.
    • Instead, gently guide them back to their room or a safe place to lay down. 
  • Most children outgrow sleepwalking, but in some cases it persists into adulthood.

Risk Factors

  • Family history
  • Being overtired
    • Current illness
    • Recent travel
    • Change in routine (e.g. starting school)

What to Do

  • Keep a sleep diary
    • Look for trends that lead to increased events
  • Maintain a healthy and consistent bedtime/sleep routine
    • Early bedtime when sick or extra tired from the day's events
  • Healthy diet/fluid intake
  • Provide a safe sleep environment
    • See specific sections above for details
  • For peace of mind, feel free to take a video of the behavior for your PCP to review and ensure the event is normal

When to Reach out to Modern Pediatrics

  • Sleep behavior is becoming problematic or harmful
  • Persistent snoring that is getting worse (louder and more frequent) over time
  • Bedwetting with an event (for fully potty trained kids)