Down Syndrome Sleep Challenges

Articles

Sep 1

Getting quality sleep is important for everyone, but particularly for children and infants, it is crucial. Without quality sleep, cognitive development may suffer in the areas of language, memory, and learning. Poor sleep can affect us all, but children with Down Syndrome are likely to experience a persistence in sleep difficulties. Both physical and behavioral problems can create problems with getting restful sleep. It is best for your child’s healthcare professionals to assess the reasons for each individual case, but there are a few common sleep-related issues those with Down Syndrome may experience.

Common Sleep Challenges for Kids with Down Syndrome

Sleep Apnea

Generally, sleep apnea refers to a disruption to breathing patterns while sleeping. Often, a physical characteristic or cause is responsible for breathing obstruction when someone is asleep. Sometimes the cause is an enlarged tongue or tonsils, narrowed breathing airways, or possibly lower muscular tone. Children with Down Syndrome experience sleep apnea at a much higher rate of 60% compared to typical children falling in the range of about 2-5%. Sleep apnea can lead to developmental difficulties in learning, problems with blood pressure or heart issues, and other serious health concerns, so it is important to address and involve the expert opinion of your child’s healthcare professionals.

Insomnia

Stress can create health problems by interrupting our needed patterns of rest. Children with Down Syndrome might experience high levels of anxiety, which can make it difficult to fall asleep. Even those with insomnia who do not have Down Syndrome experience anxiety as the root cause of their sleep disruption. Worry can be a factor present in your child’s mind which can cause them to become anxious about going to sleep.

Dyssomnia

Falling asleep can present issues, but maintaining sleep can also present its own problems. Children may experience disorders which affect their circadian rhythm, referred to as “sleep-wake” disorders. Dyssomnias are related to the cause of sleepiness due to interrupted or less sleep than is needed.

Addressing Sleep Challenges

At home, you can do your part to address these sleep challenges for kids with Down Syndrome. Some of the causes of sleep disruption may be behavioral, in which case, creating a routine and a sense of relaxation around bedtime can have a big impact over time. If you focus on your environment, positively reinforcing behaviors, and adhere to a foundational routine, it may help alleviate anxiety and stress when heading to bed.

Environment

Distractions are present everywhere, so focusing on making the place you sleep free of distractions can help prevent this problem. Make sure your sleep environment is used just for sleeping, without toys or things to distract from just going to sleep. Consider how comfortable or relaxing the space is and make adjustments based on your child’s needs. Do they like white noise? Consider a sound machine to help them create calm or calming colors on the walls. Keep this space cool, dark, and comforting. Create the ideal sleeping arrangement to aid in preventing sleep apnea or breathing obstructions with pillows or pads to encourage kids not to sleep on their back.

Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement can help you create happy feelings and positivity around bedtime and sleeping. You can set goals together and create excitement about getting a good night’s sleep. Consider encouraging words and cuddles as tools for positive reinforcement, or choose what your child responds to most enthusiastically. Stickers or other rewards for good sleep can help reduce anxiety at bedtime.

Routine

One of the most important aspects of getting good sleep for kids is developing a solid routine. When kids know what to expect and grow comfortable with a process or a routine, it helps alleviate their anxiety around the event. Children with Down Syndrome may benefit from developing a routine with picture cards to associate with each action during the bedtime routine. For instance, you could create cards to help them follow the routine of putting on PJs, brushing their teeth, and reading a story. It is important to maintain consistency in your routine so bedtime can be as calm and relaxed as possible.

Affects of Poor Sleep for Infants & Children

Poor sleep affects everyone, but for children and infants it can lead to many health problems later in life. Heart problems and issues related to blood pressure can be a result of poor sleep as a child. As mentioned earlier, your child’s learning can be impaired due to poor sleep or lack of sleep. Quality rest is necessary for the brain and the body to properly develop. Growth issues can also present themselves when quality of sleep does not meet the needs of the individual.

In addition to your child experiencing issues due to poor sleep, it is also important to point out that parents typically will also be affected in their own ways. Parents of children with Down Syndrome or a sleep disorder will also likely experience a lack of quality sleep themselves. Developing a treatment plan for these sleep challenges will have a positive effect for the whole family.

While these sleep challenges are common for children with Down Syndrome, developing a plan for how to address them is crucial for your child’s development. If you suspect or are certain your child is experiencing disruption to their sleep, the first step is to speak to your child’s healthcare professionals. They may encourage a sleep study or perform tests to determine the diagnosis. Sometimes intervention using a CPAP machine to ensure proper air flow can be necessary, but your child’s pediatrician or healthcare professionals can work with teams across multiple disciplines to determine the best course of action.