Insufficient Sleep in Children

What are the signs and symptoms of insufficient sleep?

• Problems paying attention
• Hyperactivity and impulsiveness (especially in younger children)
• Low energy
• Poor mood regulation (often upset and "moody")
• Decreased social skills
• Falling asleep at school and sleeping during short car rides
• Taking naps when no longer at a napping age, usually after about 5 years of age
• Trouble getting out of bed in the morning
• Fatigue
• Trouble falling asleep or unable to stay asleep

What tests are used to diagnose insufficient sleep?

The most important part of diagnosing insufficient sleep or sleep deprivation is talking with the family to get a thorough sleep history. This conversation should take place with a physician, nurse practitioner or psychologist that specializes in assessing and treating sleep disorders. Your child's doctor may also recommend further evaluations to fully explore all possible reasons for their poor sleep.

• Sleep log: To determine a child's baseline sleep patterns, doctors often request that a family keep a sleep log to record their child's bedtimes, wake times and night waking.
• Actigraphy watch: Another way to assess the amount of sleep a child gets is to have them wear an actigraphy watch, usually for a week while sleeping normally at home. This device looks like a wristwatch, but instead of telling time, it records your child's movement, how much sleep occurs and how long it takes to fall asleep. It also estimates how long your child stays awake throughout the night and the amount of light that is in the room.
• Overnight sleep study: In some cases, our doctors may recommend an overnight sleep study if they suspect that sleep-disordered breathing or excessive movement may be interrupting your child's sleep. Sleep-disordered breathing is when breathing partially or completely stops several times throughout the night. Your child's doctor may also order blood tests to see if a thyroid problem or acid reflux is causing them to get less sleep.

How is insufficient sleep treated?

Families often work with the sleep team's psychologist to resolve sleep problems. While this may involve more than one visit, it is often resolved with two or three visits. The psychologist helps families learn new habits and behaviors that support better sleep. In most cases, an important part of increasing sleep is improving sleep habits.

The first step in treating insufficient sleep is making sure that we properly diagnose and treat any medical problems that could reduce sleep. This begins with a visit to our sleep clinic with a physician or a nurse practitioner specializing in sleep treatments. After an exam, they will suggest possible treatments and may recommend additional tests or procedures.

Children with insomnia may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) strategies that help them fall asleep more easily and quickly. Treating night awakenings involves training infants and children to learn to fall asleep independently and soothe themselves back to sleep after their natural wakings during the night. In all cases, our sleep psychologists offer support for families interested in making sleep changes because we recognize that learning new skills and behaviors is often challenging for families.

Why choose us for treatment of insufficient sleep?

The Children's Colorado Sleep Program team has specialized expertise in treating sleep problems in children and adolescents. Our specialists are known internationally for their sleep research and sleep treatments. The team is made up of sleep experts trained in different aspects of sleep treatments, including physicians who specialize in pediatric ear, nose and throat problems, sleep psychologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, respiratory therapists and dedicated sleep nurses.

We often coordinate care with other specialists and primary care physicians who are involved in each family's treatment. Most importantly, we have very caring staff members who are willing to listen to families and go the extra mile to improve your child's sleep and optimize their development.

• The Pediatric Sleep Council offers expert information and advice on baby and toddler sleep.
• The National Sleep Foundation provides information on healthy sleep as well as sleep disorders.
• The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is the only professional society dedicated exclusively to the medical subspecialty of sleep medicine.
• The Sleep Research Society (SRS) is an organization for scientific investigators who educate and research sleep and sleep disorders.
• The Society for Behavioral Sleep Medicine is an organization focused on behavioral and psychological approaches to the prevention and treatment of sleep disorders.