Sleep Ponderings from Me: Questions for You

If your child fits into the 25% of children with sleep problems you may want to ask yourself a list of questions:

• Does your child get the appropriate amount of sleep for their age?
• What is your bedtime routine? Is it comforting?
• Do your evening activities include no TV or nonviolent programs, nonviolent computer games, reading, and a bath?
• Does your child have bedtime refusal, stalling, and/or difficulty falling asleep?
• Does your child have any sleep issues after going to sleep: confusional arousals, sleep terrors, nightmares? How many night wakings a week?
  
• Do they have any symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (snoring, gasping, breathing pauses, restless sleep)?
• Do your kids participate in weekday, night, or weekend activities that take away from adequate sleep? What activities do they participate in?
• Does your child take a nap? When? How long?
• When does your child eat? Do they take medications? How much caffeine do they consume and when?
• What signs of sleepiness do they show? Anything abnormal (falling asleep at inappropriate times, hyperactivity, irritability, behavior problems)?
• Is there any stress within your family?

If you are left perplexed and don't feel like you are ready to deal with your child's sleep issues alone please contact a physician, sleep center, or me.