Sleep disorders in children are varied and not uncommon. Some disorders may result in cranky and tired children, while others may cause behavioural and physical issues requiring medical attention. Studies show that children as young as 1 year old will show signs of anxiety around sleep, but many will resolve these issues as they get older. Some, however, do not. Your pediatrician should be the source of information as it applies to your child.

The signs that indicate that there may be a problem with your child’s sleep quality include excessive sleepiness during the day, bedwetting, crankiness and moodiness, trouble concentrating on simple tasks or at school.

Sometimes we will jump to conclusions as to why our children are misbehaving or appear moody. It is always worth digging a little deeper into how they sleep. Working closely with your pediatrician might help narrow in on the source of the following symptoms.

Here are the top 5 possible sleep disorders your child could be suffering from.

1) Snoring

Some children, as young as two, can suffer from insomnia due to snoring which can be a result of large adenoids, tonsillitis, a deviated septum or sinus congestion due to allergies. If you have seen or heard your child snore, and stop breathing briefly, it is wise to visit with an otolaryngologist to rule out sleep apnea or other physiological issues. In some cases, surgery can resolve the problem.

2) Bedwetting

Studies show that bedwetting occurs in about 50% of children under the age of 3. This is typically caused by the transition from diapers and trainers. Bladder control might take a little longer to develop in some children, and worth speaking to your pediatrician. Some children, however, sleep so soundly that they don’t register the need to go. Limiting fluids close to bedtime can help here. It is also worth considering any stress your child might be experiencing at home or school if it persists.

If you want to know more about bedwetting solutions, read our previous article Bedwetting: 4 easy solutions for worried parents.

3) Sleepwalking

Studies show that about 17% of children suffer from sleepwalking with most of them growing out of it. If you suspect your child walks around the house or can potentially step outdoors in the middle of the night, precautions should be taken. Placing locks on doors at a height they can’t reach, nightlights along baseboards or gentle alarms that can alert you are wise defences. The objective is to gently coax them back to sleep without waking them if possible. Consult your pediatrician if it persists.

4) Sleep Terrors

Much more severe than nightmares, sleep terrors are characterized by your child still in a deep sleep, experiencing an episode of deep fear and anxiety, but not having any recollection of it. Unlike nightmares where children will have, mostly, total recall, they will not be aware of a sleep terror. Depending on their age, removing all exposure to violent programs, games and books should be considered. Stress at home or school can also be the source of this disorder.

If you think your child is simply having nightmares, here it to help Helping your children with bad dreams.

5) Insomnia

This sleep disorder is not only reserved for adults, but children can toss and turn unable to close their eyes to sleep. Besides following proper sleep hygiene routines, consider their schedule of activities, amount of homework, room temperature, and scratchy sheets.

Consult with your medical practitioner if you notice any of these symptoms in your children. Solutions are easily available from conventional and holistic therapies.

Angela, Your Sleep Expert

As a couple, we do many things together like cooking and cleaning, as well as shopping and sports. There are things, however, that we do that are uniquely our own, especially when it relates to our sleeping position preferences.

I sometimes need support for my achy knees from sports-related injuries, and my partner suffers from sinus issues and prefers sleeping on a mountain of pillows. Pillows are indeed an easy fix like tucking one or two under the knees to give me the relief that I need.

Recently, however, we purchased an adjustable bed which didn’t require that we change up our bedroom furniture. We have a king-sized frame, so we added two twin XL bases and mattresses with a remote that allows us to adjust to our heart’s content! Before we launched on our search for the best sleeping system for our individual needs, we considered some of the following questions to help make our decision easier.

1. Do you suffer from osteoarthritis or other joint inflammatory symptoms?

Considering that an adjustable bed will allow you to tweak your sleeping position to that perfect spot where there is no pulling or pressure on body parts, this is an ideal solution. I loved that I no longer needed to stuff pillows under my knees to get that proper elevation which would then flatten during the night!

2. Do you suffer from chronic sinus congestion, asthma or allergies?

The best position for your head to be when under pressure from congestion is upright. Forget the pile of pillows under your head when, with a push of a button your bed will elevate your upper body to that perfect position for head pressure relief and sleeping comfort.

3. Do you snore?

Snoring is never a problem for the snorer, unless it becomes a serious health issue, but more for the non-snorer. Give your partner some relief and easily lift your upper body to release the constriction that occurs in the throat which produces the loud sounds.

4. Do you suffer from acid reflux or enjoy late-night snacking?

That late night need to munch on something just minutes before bedtime is my weakness. When I overindulge, I know that I will have problems with acid reflux keeping me awake. With just a quick adjustment, I can lift the upper part of the mattress and can instantly alleviate the problem. I love adjusting my side of the bed without affecting my partner’s particular sleep needs for that night. Adjustable beds should be in every home!

5. Do suffer from edema or water retention?

Edema is a common disorder where the body retains fluid in the lower extremities like ankles and knees. Most sufferers will wear compression stockings during the day but by sleeping on an adjustable bed, and lifting the bottom half of your mattress to a comfortable level, they can control the buildup while they sleep.

6. Do you suffer from insomnia?

Finding that perfect position to sleep in throughout the night will help alleviate the tossing and turning that insomniacs experience all night long. By adjusting the bed to help cradle you comfortably will relax your body to that point where sleep can come more easily and quickly.

Imagine then that as a couple, you both suffer from one or more of these issues requiring a completely different sleep position, comfort, and support level to help alleviate your unique symptoms. No matter what the quality of foam, fabric, comfort or support level you choose for your standard mattress, the adjustable bed is the only sleep technology that couples can personalize and customize to each of their unique sleep preferences! Stay close but also enjoy your own piece of sleep paradise!

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

Work stress affects everyone at one time or another. Deadlines, endless meetings, physically demanding work, shift work, all of these will creep into our sleep time. There is no doubt of that at all. Balancing a busy and stressful professional life with rest and relaxation is not always as easy as one thinks.

Insomnia Due to Stress

Tossing and turning, watching the clock and listening to a racing mind are signs we are suffering from insomnia. When endless deadlines, chronic pain from demanding physical work, high-pressure customer service jobs start to wear us down, sleep is usually the first to suffer.

The less we sleep because our mind is racing or our body is sore, the worse we feel. The worse we feel, the worse we perform and then the worse we sleep again. Finding balance and stepping away from the rat race is required on a regular basis to restore some quality sleep time.

Out-Of-Sync Sleep Rhythm

Source: Wikipedia

The circadian rhythm is basically a 24-hour internal clock which signals the body to sleep or to be aware. It is often called the sleep/wake cycle. When we work in shifts, that is, during the night while everyone sleeps, and then you switch it up again after a few weeks, our sleep/wake cycle suffers.

Our bodies take a few days to adjust to these changes and can cause sleepiness, irritability, digestive issues and more. It is essential that we keep the same sleep hygiene or habits that promote relaxation and restorative sleep during day sleep as in night sleep.

High Blood Pressure, Diabetes and Depression

These are not often considered to be sleep disorders, however, working in loud factories, or highly stressful work environments can cause excess stress and disrupt our restorative sleep. This can potentially cause these types of disorders over time.

Our physical well-being is so strongly connected to our sleep quality that once we make that awareness, it is possible to develop sleep habits that can curb some of the stress and lack-of-sleep induced imbalances.

Job Dissatisfaction

This is perhaps the most prevalent of causes of insomnia, and other sleep disorders. Whether we are a manager of a large corporation or work in a coffee shop, if we are not happy in our job, our sleep will be the first to suffer. The stress of job dissatisfaction breaks down our self-esteem and confidence, and we ultimately feel trapped in a thankless job.

Nightmares, sleepwalking or sleep talking can be the result of this type of job stress, and we may feel that we are living in an endless cycle. Ignored, these symptoms can worsen and cause our body and mind further harm. We need to address the issue without delay, and consider retraining to work in another area or industry. Your sleep depends on it!

We all wish for a dream job that checks off all of our must-have in order to be happy. When it is not always possible, we must always remember to shut off the company “noise” when we are at home and get balanced with things and activities that bring us joy!

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

Classic styles are classic for a reason – they never go out of fashion. Innerspring mattresses tend to use springs which have been viewed as outdated or not good for supporting your body, which is just not the case.

The Beautyrest pocket coil mattresses aren’t old beds. They’re innovatively engineered and have evolved to become much more supportive of the back as well as help with proper spine alignment. Don’t let the words spring and coil scare you!

There are many benefits to sleeping on a Beautyrest pocket coil mattress, and if you never test one out, you’ll never know what you’re missing out on!

Variety

You aren’t limited when it comes to innerspring mattresses because there’s a wide variety to choose from! Some Innerspring beds have more coils and springs adding extra firmness or softness to the mattress. If you happen to be a warm sleeper, innerspring beds tend to be cooler than other types of bed such as all foam.

You could even find a hybrid bed that mixes both springs and memory foam to make a unique mattress. Talk to a sales associate at your local mattress store to get a better idea of what kind of technology and comfort you’d want in your perfect bed. The options are endless!

Affordable

Because there are so many kinds of Beautyrest pocket coil mattresses, finding a bed that’s within your budget will not be a problem. Deciding on which one you want is what you’ll have to worry about! Check in at your closest Beautyrest mattress store to see if there are any promotional offers going on that you could take advantage of!

Traditional and Familiar

This kind of mattress has been around for so long for a reason. It works! People keep coming back to Beautyrest pocket coil mattresses because they’ve worked time and time again. They continue to change while keeping the famous pocket coil technology and comfort, making the Beautyrest mattresses a timeless, luxury bed.

Next time you’re out looking for mattresses, try out a few Beautyrest pocket coil mattresses. You’ll find that they are supportive and comfortable beds worthy of sleeping on.

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert