At 5 Little Monkeys, we're proud to have created the best kids mattresses on the market. But while we work hard to help kids everywhere sleep better through our innovative children's sleep system, our mission is to promote better sleep in every way we can. Every parent knows the difficulty of trying to help a child stay calm on a sleepless night, but if those sleepless nights start to pile up, you might be wondering: does my child have a sleep disorder? While childhood sleep disorders are uncommon, they're a serious concern, so here are a few tips for determining if your child might suffer from one.
What Are the Signs of a Childhood Sleep Disorder?
A restless night is normal once and a while, but if your trouble has frequent, prolonged difficulty with sleep, it might be a sign of something more serious. As a parent, it can be hard to know the difference between a sleep disorder and regular sleep problems. If you are unsure of your child’s sleep patterns, you should first and foremost talk to your pediatrician..
- Difficulty Sleeping: Unsurprisingly, one of the main signs of a sleeping disorder is – you guessed it – trouble sleeping. Infants need up to 18 hours of sleep per day, with that number tapering down to 9-10 hours during adolescence. If your child is getting much less than that, it may be an issue.
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS): As a corollary, if you notice your child has trouble staying awake during the day, it may be a sign of a sleep disorder. This is particularly true as your child gets older and needs fewer hours of sleep.
- Nightmares & Night Terrors: Nightmares are common in children, and some children experience a more extreme form called a night terror. Night terrors can be scary for a parent to watch, as your child may scream and cry in fear – but don't worry, the majority of the time, they're still asleep. While both of these phenomena are relatively common and normal, if your child experiences either in excess, it may be a sign of a sleep disorder.
- Snoring: Snoring is fairly common in adults and children, but excessive snoring could be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA can be extremely harmful to a child's development, so if you notice snoring in addition to other symptoms, your next step would be to contact your child’s pediatrician.
Order the World-Class 5 Little Monkeys Kids Bed
These problems are common for most children, but if your child experiences many of these issues or any one in an excessive amount, it may be a sign that they need professional attention. However, if you're looking to help your child sleep better, the first step might be their bed – and we've got you covered on that. The 5 Little Monkeys sleep system is specifically designed to give growing bodies what they need for healthy sleep. Give your child the gift of better sleep and order your 5 Little Monkeys bed today!