Expert: Karel Sleis Date: 6/29/2008 Subject: sleep problems
Question My 4 year old daughter moves around all night long. She tosses and turns and never stays still. I am worried she may have a sleep problem. She is very cranky during the daytime. I also notice she snores some. Any advice you can offer would be great. Thank you.
Answer If she snores at night it may due to over weight. she could have sleep apnea. If she wakes up choking at night after snoring then she definitely does have it. Sometimes even losing 5 pounds can help. Next as far as her twisting and turning 3 hours before her bedtime stay away from caffeine, sugar, caramel colored soda like coke , pepsi, ginger ale, chocolate all these make for restless sleep.30 minutes before bedtime let her take a hot bath, the body temp will relax and tell the brain she is ready for a good night sleep. l5 minutes before bedtime give her a glass of warm milk. Milk when heated contains tryptophan a natural amino acid sleep inducer. If the snoring still persist your local hospital can refer you to a sleep center or your pediatrician. Go to sleepnet.com click on pediatric sleeping disorders, also click on adult disorders sleep apnea. feel free to email again karel. Try these tips first to see if the restlessness gets better, however many children move around all night, however your noticing her snoring and her being cranky and tired during the day could suggest sleep apnea. karel
