Everything You Need To Know About Snoring In Babies!

August 26, 2022

Snoring in Children

Good sleep is essential for a child's development. So, it doesn't come as a surprise when mothers are concerned about their kids' snoring.

Snoring in children can have different causes. Some are mild while others require urgent medical attention because they can have long-lasting effects.

In this article, we'll be discussing the causes of kids' snoring, dangers of snoring, and how to improve your child's breathing while sleeping. But first let's understand what it means for a child to snore.

What Is Snoring in Children?

Snoring is a type of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Snoring is the audible noise that occurs when the soft palate and uvula vibrate behind the throat.

Snoring may be loud or quiet depending on how much air is moving through the air passage, the throat tissue vibration, and the relaxation and collapse of this tissue while sleeping. In kids who are above three years, snoring tends to take place when the child is sleeping deeply.

Snoring occurs when air can't move freely through the air passage behind the throat. As the child breathes in or out, the tissue surrounding the air passage vibrates and makes an unpleasant sound.

When Should You Be Bothered About Your Child's Snoring?

Snoring in kids is a serious medical concern when it is linked with abnormal breathing and disrupts the child's sleep. If your child does not have adequate sleep due to SBD, this could result in:

* Fatigue or tiredness

* Hyperactivity during the day

* Excessive weight gain or obesity

* Poor performance at school

* Retarded or stunted growth.

When your kid snores often, and it disrupts sleep, it may be a mild or severe form of sleep disorded breathing.

While almost any child may have an occasional time of snoring, if it is prolonged and affects the health of your child and well being, you need to seek medical assistance.

What Causes Snoring in Kids?

Snoring is primarily caused by blocked airways. In children, the most common reasons for this include:

* Contaminated air: Poor air quality that has a large amount of contaminants can hinder normal respiration.

* Exposure to tobacco smoke: If a child breathes in tobacco smoke, it increases the likelihood of snoring.

* Allergies: An allergic reaction can lead to nose or throat inflammation. This makes it more difficult to breathe and increases the likelihood of snoring.

* Congestion: Flu-like symptoms may lead to congestion which blocks the normal passage of air. Infection can also cause inflammation in the tonsils.

* Obstructive sleep apnea: Children with this condition usually snore and even gasp for breath while sleeping.

Is Snoring in Kids Harmful?

Irregular snoring in kids is seldom dangerous. But if it occurs more than three nights in a week, you should consult a physician.

Sleep disordered breathing should not be ignored because of its potential effects the child's health. The most serious effect is obstructive sleep apnea. This condition can lead to other health issues such as:

* Reduced oxygen intake during sleep

* Slow brain development

* Poor performance at school

* Heart related ailments

* Poor metabolism

* Unstable behavior.

How to Improve Breathing and Reduce Snoring

Taking the following steps to avoid sleep-disordered breathing will imporove your child's health.

* Talk with a pediatrician

Consult your child's doctor. Tell your pediatrician any signs or symptoms you've observed and provide sincere answers to all questions.

A doctor will examine your kid and run tests to discover if there are allergies, or underlying conditions like asthma that can trigger habitual snoring. With an accurate diagnosis, your doctor can recommend the best treatment options and lifestyle changes required.

* Use These Remedies to Give Your Child Relief at Night:

Help your child to sleep on the side. When a child lies on the back, the uvula can slip behind the throat and cause a partial blockage of the air passage.
Take out allergens. Removing any potential sources of allergens like pillows, feather comforters, and teddy bears will reduce the possibility of snoring.
Install an air purifier. If your kid has allergies, place an air purifier in their room to eliminate pollen, dust, and other air pollutants. Also, clean carpets, rugs, and furniture surfaces often to avoid a build up of dust.
Clean your child's nasal passages. Using saline water or a nasal rinse device can reduce congestion in the nose. However, you need to consult your doctor before you do this.

Snoring in children should only be ignored if it occurs once in a while. If you observe that your child snores often during sleep, consult a qualified pediatrician immediately.