One of the biggest challenges as a parent can be getting your child to sleep sometimes! After slowly creeping out of your sleeping child’s room (sometimes tiptoeing), you do your best to avoid accidentally waking him or her up. But should you be worried if you start to hear snoring?

Snoring doesn’t happen as often in children as it does in adults, but can still occur. The sound of snoring isn’t necessarily dangerous, but if it is a recurrent problem, it can start to affect his or her sleep quality and daytime activities.

Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Memphis team explains all about snoring and the potential causes below.

Why Does My Child Snore?

Childhood and adult snoring both come from the same cause. People who snore tend to have extra tissue in their noses and throats that vibrate as air works its way out of the throat passage. In children, this is due to larger-than-normal tonsils and adenoids. Children who are overweight or experience asthma also are at higher risk of a mild snoring issue.

In most cases, mild snoring isn’t a cause for concern. However, it is possible for your child to develop sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous condition that affects your child’s breathing patterns and can actually cause him or her to stop breathing from 10 seconds to two minutes. This cycle can happen more than once overnight, and can be dangerous each time. If you have a child who snores and he or she is experiencing more signs of sleep apnea, it is time to see a medical professional.

Sleep Apnea in Children

• Snoring loudly often
• Sleeping with his or her mouth open
• Gasping or choking
  
• Snoring all night long

Are Some Children More Vulnerable to Sleep Disorders?

Yes! Children born prematurely are at a higher risk of developing sleep apnea due to potential developmental delays. Snoring is also more common in children who have Down syndrome, a cleft lip or a neuromuscular disorder.

If you start to notice an increase in your child’s snoring or notice that it is becoming louder, create a sleep journal and try to track any patterns you notice. If you can’t attribute it to allergies or an asthma flare-up, it may be a good idea to investigate a further cause.

Reduce Snoring in Your Child

• Encourage side sleeping instead of back sleeping.
  
• Add more physical activity into his or her day.
• Remove tonsils or adenoids.
• Place an air purifier in his or her room.

Your child needs quality sleep to grow healthy and strong! If you are concerned with your child’s snoring, come see us at AFC Urgent Care Memphis.