It is the fear of many adults when their child wakes up screaming in the night or wakes up to find themselves downstairs instead of snuggled into their bed where the parent had laid them down to sleep. These things can and do happen to children. Here is what you need to know about toddler sleep disorders. Many times these toddler sleep disorders are mistaken for a child being fussing and not wanting to sleep or is waking through the night.
What are the symptoms of a toddler sleep disorder?
There are a few tell tale signs of a toddler sleep disorder and each one has a separate issue. For example, if your toddler wakes and appears to be terrified or is screaming, then they might suffer from night terrors. Does your child rub their feet together, bang their head, or rock back and forth when falling asleep? Do they breathe loud or snore? Do they wake choking or gasping for air? These are all signs of toddler sleep disorders.
What toddler sleep disorders do these symptoms indicate?
As stated above, if your child wakes screaming or looks terrified they could be suffering from night terrors. If your child bangs their head or rocks back and forth, they could have the toddler sleep disorder known as head banging or rocking. If they snore or breathe very loud and often gasp or choke, then it is quite possible that the child suffers from apnea. Finally, if your child wakes up confused or uncertain of where they are, they could be suffering from sleepwalking. This one is obvious if you see your child walking, of course.
What should I do if I think my child has a toddler sleep disorder?
The most important thing you can do for your toddler is to get them in to see the pediatrician. The toddler sleep disorder can affect more than just your child