Sleep Disorders in Children

OSA happens when a child’s airway becomes blocked during sleep, interrupting normal breathing. Common signs include loud snoring, restless nights, and odd sleeping positions such as sitting up or arching the neck to breathe.

Causes of OSA in children:

• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids: This is the most common reason for airway blockage in younger children. When these tissues grow too large, they can narrow the throat and interrupt smooth breathing during sleep.
  
  
• Small jaw or narrow facial structure: Some children naturally have a smaller airway. The shape of the jaw and palate can reduce space for air to move freely, which increases the chance of obstruction.
  
  
• History of cleft palate surgery: Past procedures to repair a cleft palate or related structures may alter how the soft tissue sits in the throat, making airflow slightly more restricted.
  
  
• Obesity or higher body weight: Extra tissue around the neck can put pressure on the airway, especially when a child lies on their back. This can lead to repeated pauses in breathing overnight.
  
  
• Neuromuscular disorders: Conditions that affect muscle tone can weaken the throat muscles, making it harder to keep the airway open throughout the sleep cycle.
  
  

Treatment for OSA in children:
At our sleep clinic NZ, OSA is often managed with straightforward surgery to remove tonsils or adenoids. While surgery can sound daunting, it prevents further complications such as poor growth, daytime fatigue, or learning difficulties. Our ENT surgeons and sleep specialists Auckland guide parents through the process so every decision feels informed.

Sleepwalking affects up to one in five children and can appear without warning. Some kids outgrow it quickly, while others continue to experience episodes for several years.

Common triggers include:

• Family history of sleepwalking: Sleepwalking often runs in families. If parents or siblings have experienced it, a child may be more likely to do the same, especially during deep sleep stages.
  
  
• Irregular sleep schedules or overtiredness: When bedtime routines change or a child becomes overly tired, the brain can struggle to move smoothly between sleep stages. This increases the chance of sleepwalking episodes.
  
  
• Fever or illness: Being unwell can make sleep lighter and more restless. Fevers in particular can trigger partial awakenings that lead to wandering or confusion.
  
  
• Full bladder before bed: A need to urinate during the night sometimes triggers sleepwalking as the child half wakes to find the toilet but remains partly asleep.
  
  
• Environmental changes such as moving rooms: Shifts in the sleeping space, new furniture, or even different lighting can unsettle a child’s sleep pattern and bring on episodes until they adjust.
  
  

Treatment for sleepwalking:
The main goal is safety. Keep a steady bedtime routine, gently guide your child back to bed without waking them, and make sure stairs and doors are secure. Persistent episodes or those linked with snoring may indicate a broader sleep disorder NZ, such as sleep apnoea or restless legs syndrome, which should be reviewed by a sleep consultant Auckland.

UARS can mimic apnoea symptoms but is more subtle. Airflow is limited, causing disturbed sleep, frequent waking, and daytime tiredness even when the child appears to sleep through the night.

Treatment options:

• Removal of tonsils or adenoids: Enlarged tonsils or adenoids often narrow the airway and make breathing harder during sleep. Their removal can ease obstruction and help children breathe more freely at night.
  
  
• Oral or orthodontic treatment: In some children, the shape or position of the jaw contributes to airway resistance. Custom oral appliances or orthodontic adjustments can gently widen the airway and reduce breathing effort.
  
  
• Positional therapy to improve airflow: Simple changes to sleeping position, such as encouraging side sleeping instead of lying flat on the back, can significantly improve airflow and reduce night-time disturbance.

Our sleep specialists Auckland assess these cases carefully, as UARS can often be improved with non-surgical measures once the cause is properly understood.

If your child is tired despite getting what seems like enough sleep, or if you notice snoring, mouth breathing, or mood swings, it may be time to look closer. Signs to watch include:

• Persistent or loud snoring: Occasional snoring is common, but if it happens most nights or sounds harsh and laboured, it may signal a blockage in the airway that needs specialist review.
  
  
• Frequent waking or restless nights: Repeated tossing, turning, or waking during the night can show that your child’s sleep is being disrupted by breathing issues or other hidden sleep disorders.
  
  
• Mouth breathing during sleep: When the nose is blocked or airflow is limited, children often breathe through their mouths. This can dry the throat, disturb rest, and point to airway resistance or enlarged tonsils.
  
  
• Daytime tiredness, hyperactivity, or poor focus: Tired children do not always look sleepy. Some become irritable or overly active as their body struggles to stay alert after a restless night.
  
  
• Bed-wetting beyond age five: Ongoing bed-wetting can sometimes be linked to interrupted sleep or breathing pauses. When it continues past the early years, it’s worth mentioning to a sleep specialist Auckland.
  
  

When several signs appear together, a consultation at a trusted sleep clinic can provide answers and relief.

Good sleep habits can help both children and parents. Try these steps to support a regular rhythm:

• Keep bedtimes and wake-up times consistent, even on weekends: A steady routine helps your child’s body clock stay balanced. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day supports deeper, more regular sleep.
  
  
• Follow a calming routine such as bath, reading, or soft music: Gentle, predictable rituals signal to the body that it’s time to wind down. A warm bath, a quiet story, or soft background music can help ease the transition into rest.
  
  
• Avoid caffeine or sugary drinks after lunch: Drinks with caffeine or high sugar content can keep a child alert long after bedtime. Water or milk in the afternoon and evening keeps energy levels steady.
  
  
• Remove screens at least an hour before bed: Tablets, phones, and TVs emit bright light that interferes with the body’s natural sleep hormones. Turning them off early helps the mind slow down and prepare for rest.
  
  
• Keep the room dark, quiet, and cool: A comfortable sleeping environment supports better breathing and deeper sleep. Use blackout curtains if needed, reduce noise, and keep the temperature mild rather than warm.
  
  

Simple changes like these can make nights smoother. If problems continue, our sleep specialist NZ team can assess whether an underlying condition is contributing.