Kids Who Snore: When Parents Should Pay Attention

Описание: Does your baby or child snore during sleep?

Does a sibling complain that snoring keeps them up at night?

When should you, as a parent, be concerned?

Are there short-term or long-term effects of snoring?

And when is it time to see the pediatrician?

First, snoring is common.

Most kids will snore at some point. It can happen when they’re extra-tired, sleeping very deeply, lying in a certain position, or sick with a cold.

So, when do we worry?
• Gasping or choking sounds during sleep
• Catching or holding their breath
• Breathing mostly through the mouth
• Nostrils flaring (opening in and out), which signals extra effort to breathe
• Pauses in breathing (called apnea) lasting more than a few seconds or • • • • • happening multiple times a night
• Coughing associated with snoring
• Frequent nighttime awakenings—for the child or siblings
• Bluish lips or face, or skin turning red or pale
• Emergency signs: snoring combined with fever, drooling, and difficulty • • • • • moving the neck—seek immediate medical care
• In babies: increased spit-up, back arching, and frequent crying

   • Baby Spit-Up: What New Parents Need to Know  

If your child snores occasionally and has none of the above symptoms, it’s usually less concerning.

How can snoring affect children’s health?

Snoring is often caused by partial blockage of the upper airway.

Loud, persistent snoring with breathing difficulty may signal a more serious airway obstruction and requires medical evaluation.

Children who snore night after night may experience:
• Abnormal tooth development
• Speech issues
• Behavior issues due to poor sleep (parents and siblings could have the • • • • • same problem)
• Attention difficulties, mood changes, or depression
• Increased risk of accidents and injuries

If your child has speech issues, dental concerns, or attention problems—be sure to mention snoring to your pediatrician.

What can we do to help?

Babies & Infants

We often evaluate spit-up and reflux.

Treatment may include:
• Adjusting feeding position
• Thickening feeds
• Medication when appropriate

Older Children

A common cause of snoring is enlarged tonsils or adenoids.

We may:
• Perform a physical exam
• Order an X-ray of the soft tissues of the neck
• Evaluate for airway narrowing
If narrowing is found, we may involve our ENT (ear, nose, and throat) colleagues.

Other Causes

Chronic snoring can also result from ongoing nasal congestion due to:
• Illness
• Environmental irritants
• Allergies

We can help identify triggers, recommend bedroom modifications, and use medications if needed.

   • How to Reduce Food Allergies in your Baby  

If we have a child who continues to snore despite the above modifications, we may do a sleep study for further evaluation.

Don’t lose another night of sleep

If your child isn’t sleeping well—or no one in the house is sleeping because of snoring—we’re here to help.

Give us a call!
Let us help your child sleep better.
Let us help you sleep better.

Work with us:
ActiveKidMD.com
714-974-2220

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