Sleep Clinic
Sleep is as important as nutrition in children. Memory is vital to enable us to learn and underpins cognitive and motor development. Although research into children’s sleep is relatively new, recent studies amongst school children confirm that as little as 1 – 2 hours less sleep a night can alter a child’s academic performance by 2 – 6 years, as well as affecting their behaviour. Similarly, sleep deprivation impacts on the entire family and it is sometimes not the child who is most affected. Better sleep increases concentration, reaction time, decision-making skills, language skills and memory consolidation, and, as well as many other things, helps to organize our thoughts.
It is Behavioural Insomnia that is responsible for a huge percentage of children’s sleep problems. During the night we are in different types and depths of sleep each with its own distinct set of associated physiological, neurological, and psychological features. We sleep in cycles of REM sleep (rapid eye movement or dream sleep) and non-REM sleep, which last between 45-60 minutes and are important for the learning of practical tasks, as well as creative and emotional thinking. Stage 2, light sleep, enhances motor skills and Stage 3, slow-wave or deep sleep, enhances factual learning.
Before the age of 8 months it can be unrealistic to expect babies to sleep through the night as they are only just starting to manage without night feeds by this age. This does not mean babies younger than this cannot be encouraged to sleep through the night however, as it is important to establish day and bedtime routines from about 4 months. Cues such as light and darkness and meals during the day help to align their ‘body clocks’ (their circadian rhythm) so they can wind down, prepare for sleep at the right time and sleep all night.
Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome is a circadian rhythm disorder. It can occur at any age but is most common in adolescents and young adults who stay up late, causing a shift in their sleep pattern similar to jet lag. Studies show that it currently affects 5-10% of adolescents. Online social networking and gaming can worsen the condition encouraging older children to stay up too late and resulting in their body clock becoming set at a very late bedtime. This would be acceptable if they were able to continue sleeping in the morning. However if they need to be woken for school, the lack of sleep can lead to poor school performance and attendance as well as extreme daytime sleepiness.
One common sleep disorder is Restless Legs Syndrome. This causes pains and aches in the legs when tired giving the sufferer an irresistible urge to move them. Children often describe this condition as ‘jumpy legs.’ Although it can be mistaken for ‘growing pains.’ research has shown that low iron stores (or Ferritin levels) confirm the diagnosis and the condition can then be treated with a course of iron supplements and improved diet.
Another common disorder is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). This is a medical condition in which the child has repeated brief temporary breathing pauses during sleep. It equates to being poked by someone 15-30 times a night and is hugely disruptive to sleep. In most children it is caused by large tonsils and/or adenoids, which block the airway during REM sleep, although children with allergies, asthma, reflux or frequent sinus infections may also be at risk.
Solutions to many sleep problems can now be found in the Sleep Clinic and Sleep Workshops at LBhealthcare. Experienced Sleep specialist, Christina Arnott, will develop a tailor made supported programme to help families and parents of children experiencing sleep difficulties.
Some of the problems we commonly deal with are bedtime resistance, night time bottles/feeding, settling, night-waking, sleep terrors, sleep walking, nightmares, night fears, early waking, restlessness and insomnia.
If your child is experiencing any of these problems then give us a call for a clinic appointment or to arrange a telephone consultation. A sleep diary and questionnaire will be sent to you to fill in which will then be followed by a 1-2 hour consultation. If we suspect a medical cause for your child’s symptoms, for example OSA, Christina will refer you and your child to your GP, who may decide onward referral to an ENT specialist is necessary. Otherwise a diagnosis will be made and you will be given a Sleep Management Programme during which time you may send unlimited e-mails and have two follow-up calls with Christina.
Christina also holds Sleep Workshops at LBhealthcare. These are carried out on Saturdays and consist of a 2 hour session which includes learning about how sleep works, the different problems that can occur and how to solve them. Personal programmes will be available if parents/carers feel this is needed. Call LBhealthcare to book a place on the next available workshop.
