Pediatric Sleep Medicine
Healthy sleep is essential for a child’s growth, learning, behavior, and mood. Sleep Health MD diagnoses and treats sleep disorders in infants, children, and teens, helping families in Santa Cruz, Freedom, Sunnyvale, and Monterey get to the root of snoring, restless nights, and daytime sleepiness.
Request an AppointmentWhat Is a Pediatric Sleep Specialist?
A pediatric sleep specialist is a doctor who, like a pediatrician, cares for children and, like a sleep specialist, focuses on diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Many pediatric sleep specialists are board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and have training in pulmonology, the study of the respiratory tract, which is important for treating breathing-related sleep problems. Board certification shows a physician has demonstrated expertise by passing a rigorous examination.
Signs Your Child May Have a Sleep Disorder
Any parent whose child shows possible signs of a sleep disorder should consider an evaluation. Common signs include:
- Regular snoring, mouth breathing, or pauses in breathing
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Twitching or kicking legs while falling asleep or sleeping
- Waking up multiple times during the night
- Sudden bouts of sleepiness during the day
- Sleepwalking, sleep talking, or night terrors
- Bedwetting after previously being dry at night
- Hyperactivity, irritability, or attention and school problems
Children often show sleep deprivation differently than adults. Rather than appearing sleepy, they may seem restless or have trouble focusing. If your child goes to bed at an appropriate time but is still tired during the day, an evaluation can help.
Sleep Disorders We Treat in Children
- Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea, often related to enlarged tonsils and adenoids
- Insomnia and bedtime resistance
- Parasomnias such as sleepwalking and night terrors
- Restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder
- Narcolepsy and other causes of excessive daytime sleepiness
- Delayed sleep schedules in teens and other circadian rhythm disorders
- Teeth grinding during sleep
What Happens at a Pediatric Sleep Appointment?
An initial appointment usually lasts about as long as a standard doctor visit. Your child’s provider will take vital signs, a medical and family history, and discuss symptoms with both you and your child. The doctor may also perform a physical exam. If additional testing is needed, such as a sleep study, it is often scheduled for another day. Some children are sent home with an at-home sleep testing device the same day, which is easy to complete and doesn’t significantly lengthen the first visit.
Preparing for Your Child’s Visit
Complete the pediatric new patient packet, available in English and Spanish, on our patient forms page. It can also help to keep a one- to two-week sleep diary noting bedtimes, wake times, naps, and any unusual nighttime behaviors. Review our new patient information and accepted insurances before your visit, and explore all conditions we treat.
Pediatric Sleep Medicine FAQs
When should my child see a sleep specialist?
Consider an evaluation if your child snores regularly, has trouble falling or staying asleep, is tired during the day despite adequate sleep, or has unusual behaviors at night.
Can children have sleep apnea?
Yes. Pediatric sleep apnea is often related to enlarged tonsils and adenoids and can affect behavior, learning, and growth.
Is my child’s snoring normal?
Occasional snoring during a cold is common, but regular, loud snoring should be evaluated by a sleep specialist.
How long is a pediatric sleep appointment?
An initial visit usually takes about as long as a standard doctor appointment. Testing, if needed, is typically scheduled separately.
Can children do a home sleep study?
Some children may be sent home with a sleep testing device, while others need an attended in-lab study depending on their symptoms.
Are night terrors harmful?
Night terrors are usually not harmful and often outgrown, but frequent episodes or safety concerns should be evaluated.
How do I schedule an appointment for my child?
Call (844) 387-5337 or request an appointment online with Sleep Health MD.
Help Your Child Sleep Better
Better sleep can mean better days at home and at school. Call (844) 387-5337 or request an appointment online to schedule your child’s evaluation.