Parentpedia

What Experts Say

For most, the word "snoring" probably brings to mind an old man in a rocking chair, taking an afternoon snooze. So it can come as a surprise when you check on your baby one night and hear your little one sawing a log! But the fact is, this is not uncommon.

If your baby or toddler only snores occasionally, such as when she's got a cold or during allergy season and her sinuses are clogged, then it's most likely nothing to worry about. Or, your child may just be overtired, in which case she's more likely to snore. But if your little one snores on a regular basis, she may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea.

"While this disorder peaks in children ages 3 to 5, we're now finding that it can pop up in children as young as 10 months old," says Jodi Mindell, Ph.D., associate director of the Sleep Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and author of "Sleeping Through the Night." "Basically, these kids have enlarged tonsils and adenoids that obstruct their breathing as they sleep."

When Snoring Is a Problem

In addition to snoring loudly, look for these signs that your child may have obstructive sleep apnea.

• Her sleep appears extremely restless.
• She looks like she's struggling to breathe as she snoozes.
• Her pauses between breathing last a few seconds.
• She regularly breathes through her mouth.

A child with obstructive sleep apnea often gets a terrible night's sleep, so she is more likely to be chronically tired and cranky during the day. Let your pediatrician know if you think your child is suffering from a sleep disorder. He'll most likely refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist or to a children's hospital for a sleep study. If it turns out that she does have overly large tonsils and adenoids, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove one or both.

"The good news is that surgical removal of the tonsils and/or adenoids completely solves the problem 95 percent of the time," explains Dr. Mindell.

Safety Note

If your child does need to have surgery, discuss the risks and side effects with your doctor. While adenoidectomies and tonsillectomies are considered short and simple procedures, the recovery process is often more difficult for children under 3.