Toddler Sleep Problem - Toddler Sleep Disorder

By Leeanne Utiger
Maybe you are a parent and seem to think that your toddler has a sleep problem or in fact a sleep disorder. This article will cover the issue of toddlers with sleep problems and what in fact a toddler sleep disorder is. Believe it or not a toddler with sleep problems is very different to a toddler with an actual sleep disorder. They are not the same thing. So if you think your toddler has either a problem with their sleep pattern or that your toddler may suffer from a sleep disorder, I recommend you read this article further.

To begin with, as I mentioned above a toddler with a sleep problem does vary from a toddler who really does have a sleep disorder. It is a known fact that only a very small percent of toddlers really do suffer from a form of sleep disorder. The other toddlers just have a problem with sleep or maybe your toddler just has a problem with initially getting to sleep. The percentage of toddlers who suffer from a real sleep disorder is only in the ten percent range. Now if you were to add together all of the toddlers in the world, that really is a very small percentage of toddlers with real sleep disorders. So in theory, your toddler may very well not have a sleep disorder.

Toddlers with a Sleep Problem:
Many toddlers do in fact suffer from one form of sleep problem at any given time. I would find it rather unusual for a toddler to never suffer from sleep problems of one kind or another. This is simply because toddlers often go through growing spurts and stages. Take teething for example. All toddlers teeth, just at varying rates and toddler ages. When your toddler is teething, he or she is bound to have a problem with sleep. Your toddler may in fact go to sleep when you place him or her in their bed, but then wake up suddenly screaming and not seeming to be able to get back to sleep. This can be a problem, both for the toddler and the parent/s. Teething for a toddler is a painful process and toddlers can suffer from the pains of teething for some months. However teething problems in relation to sleep can in fact be lowered, if not completely eliminated. I suggest you invest in a soothing gel for your toddlers teeth. This soothing gel can be purchased from your local pharmacy. All you have to do is gently with a clean finger smooth some of the soothing teething gel on your toddlers gums. This will in fact soothe the gums of your toddler and help him or her to sleep better, preventing the problem your toddler may have in waking so often during the night due to the teething problem. Other things that can cause your toddler to have a sleep problem are:
Wet nappies - always make sure when you place your toddler back to bed to go to sleep, you give them a clean change of nappy. Even if the nappy they have on appears to be dry, it is wise to always change it. This will also prevent a problem with nappy rash, which in turn can also create a problem with sleep. This is because a nappy rash is irritating to the skin and can cause inflammation.
Temperature - make sure the room your toddler is put to sleep in is adequately warmed or cooled. If your toddler is too hot or too cold, it can also cause a sleep problem. We as adults have problems with sleep if we are either too hot or too cold, well so does your toddler.
Illness - if your toddler is not feeling well, then this too will create problems with sleep. So if your toddler is screaming or will not settle, check their temperature, they may be ill. If you are concerned or not sure, schedule an appointment with your family doctor for your toddler to be checked over.

These are a few things that can cause a sleep problem for your toddler. However bear in mind also, that a toddler will be a toddler, and generally your toddler will like closeness with his or her parents. Toddlers can tell when they are away from their parents which can also be a cause for your toddler to have a sleep problem. So as a parent, we have to learn to be strong at times and do all we can to help our toddler to get their much needed sleep.

Toddler Sleep Disorder:
As I mentioned above there is only a small of toddlers who do in fact have a real sleep disorder. A sleep disorder is actually embedded in a physiological condition. If you are genuinely concerned that your toddler may have a sleep disorder, do a checklist one night on your toddler and see if you can answer yes to any of the questions I have listed below.

Does your toddler snore when he or she is asleep?
Is your toddler a noisy sleeper?
Does your toddler breathe through his or her mouth when they are trying to sleep?
Does your toddler appear to choke or cough when trying to sleep?
Does your toddler on sleeping appear to sweat a lot?
Does your toddler appear to be in a very confused state after he or she has had a sleep on waking?
Does your toddler rock or bang their head just prior to going to sleep?
Does your toddler appear to look terrified when he or she wakes from sleep during the night?
Does your toddler get out of bed appearing to be still in a sleep like state?

If you answer yes to many of these, or even some of these questions, I suggest you schedule an appointment with your family doctor for an examination. Your toddler may in fact be one of the small percentage of toddlers who do suffer from a sleep disorder.

I hope this article has taught you enough about the differences between a usual sleep problem for a toddler and what an actual toddler sleep disorder is. If not, and you want further information, once again, I make the suggestion you speak to your family doctor about your concerns regarding your toddler and their sleep patterns.

See Also:
Sleep disorder and problems:

Magical Baby Sleep Methods

Copyright © 2006 SelfImprovementGuide.Net - All Rights Reserved.
Any proprietary content contained in this document may not be copied in part or full without express written permission from the publisher.
Contact Us | Terms of Use