Sleep-Deprived Parents May Find Answers in Infant Study

New parents go to bed knowing its coming and its going to ruin their sleep. Sometime in the middle of the night, maybe around 3 or 4 a.m., they’ll waken to the sound of their infant child crying.

Everyone seems to take a different approach to getting their baby to sleep again. Do you leave the child alone, or do you rock the baby to sleep? Do you bring your baby to your bed with you? Right now there’s no clear answer to this parenting peril.

In a few years may change. Canadian researchers are launching a project called the “Rocky Baby Study,” to test these different approaches, the Montreal Gazette reports.

About 250 babies will wear a small wrist actigraph as they sleep to monitor their sleep/wake patterns.

The study coordinators are betting on something called the Australian model of intervention. The program educates parents about infant sleep habits and requirements. They will learn sleep patterns change and babies can sleep on their own for a longer time after six months. The parents will also receive training and tips for bedtime and daytime sleep rituals.

The study is expected to be completed in 2 ½ years. It may take even longer before the results are published.

The months after childbirth are usually the most difficult for parents. Most complaints about sleep disturbance and daytime impairment usually occur within the first six months.

Parents should make sleep a top priority, for the sake of their health and their family. Recent findings suggest first-time parents who are able to sleep are more satisfied with their partners.

The AASM reports there are several things new parents can do to improve their sleep.

Sleep Parenting Across Cultures

Last week a Salon article addressed the controversial topic of sleep parenting. Ada Calhoun shared how she and her husband grappled with conflicting advice about what was best for their newborn.

“Cry it out” sleep training. Attachment parenting. Baby management. New parents can become overwhelmed by all of the advice offered by parenting books.

Now Calhoun is joining the debate with her own book. Instinctive Parenting advises parents to “find what works for you and your family and ditch the anxiety and judgment.”



But sleep parenting can vary widely across cultures. A recent study compared countries that are mostly Caucasian with those that are primarily Asian.

The study involved parents of 29,287 infants and toddlers. Seventeen countries were represented. Parents completed a questionnaire on the Internet.

Results published in March show that young children in Asian countries went to bed later and slept less. Bed sharing and room sharing also were more common in their homes.

Bedtimes ranged from 7:27 p.m. in New Zealand to 10:17 p.m. in Hong Kong. Total sleep time ranged from 11.6 hours in Japan to 13.3 hours in New Zealand.

In New Zealand only 5.8 percent of parents reported sharing a bed with their infant or toddler. In contrast bed sharing was reported by 83.2 percent of parents in Vietnam.

The initial results of the study were presented at SLEEP 2008. Another report based on the research will be published in April.

It shows that 57 percent of parents in Caucasian countries reported that their child falls asleep independently in his or her own crib or bed. This was reported by just four percent of parents in primarily Asian regions.

In 2006 the AASM published practice parameters for bedtime problems and night wakings in young children and infants. A task force of experts reviewed all of the current research on this topic.

The report recommends sleep training to help infants and toddlers learn to fall asleep on their own. You can read a summary of the report on SleepEducation.com.

Discuss any ongoing sleep problems with your child’s doctor. He or she may refer you to an AASM-accredited sleep center for help.

Read more about sleep and children.

Getting Your Child to Sleep…Alone

Earlier this week on ABC, “Good Morning America” offered advice for parents whose children don’t like to sleep alone.

GMA correspondent Cameron Mathison went on a special assignment to tackle the issue. The location? His own house.


He and his wife Vanessa had been struggling to keep their two kids from sleeping in Mom and Dad’s bed. These co-sleeping parents would prefer to be sleeping solo. So family sleep therapist Jennifer Waldburger from Sleepy Planet came to the rescue.

She said that the whole family benefits when children learn to sleep well. Children who get enough sleep are smarter and happier, and they behave better.

“The benefits are huge,” Waldburger said. “As much as you love your kids now, you’re gonna’ love them even more when they are sleeping.”

She offered a variety of strategies to help parents who have this common problem. These included using morning rewards and having a “sleep party” in the children’s rooms.

After giving it a try, Cameron reports that they have had success for five days in a row.

“It worked!” he told GMA host George Stephanopoulos. “The point is they’re getting the sleep that they needed.”

Hundreds of viewers wrote the show with their own questions. Parenting expert Elizabeth Pantley answered some of these questions online.

Last month the Sleep Education Blog reported that “Living Well with Leisa” host Leisa Naples found a creative way to get her girls to wind down at night. She calls it “Family Spa Night.”

What about you? How have you taught your children to sleep in their own beds?

Getting Young Children to Sleep

Leisa Naples knows how hard it can be to get young children to sleep at night. She is the mother of two sets of identical twin girls.

But the host and producer of “Living Well with Leisa” found a creative way to get her girls to wind down at night. She calls it “Family Spa Night.”



A recent study showed that Leisa’s idea may be a good one. It found that a simple, four-step, nightly routine helps young children sleep better.

The first step was for mothers to give their child a bath. The second step was to give a massage to infants or apply lotion to toddlers. The third step was to engage their child in quiet activities. This might involve cuddling or singing a lullaby. Finally the mothers turned out the lights within 30 minutes of the end of the bath.

Another study confirmed that poor “sleep hygiene” has a negative effect on the sleep patterns of young children. The authors concluded that good sleep hygiene helps young children sleep better.

Basic tips that parents should put into practice include:

• Letting children fall asleep independently
• Putting children to bed before 9 p.m.
• Establishing a bedtime routine that includes reading
• Helping children avoid caffeine
• Keeping a TV out of the bedroom

Read more about sleep and children.

Solving SIDS: The Serotonin Connection

A new study found low levels of serotonin in the brain tissue of infants who died from SIDS. The study suggests that a brain defect may cause some babies to be more vulnerable to sudden death while they sleep.

The results were published today in JAMA.



The autopsy analysis involved 35 infants who died from SIDS. They were compared with five infants who died from known causes.

Researchers examined small samples of tissue from the medulla. This is a region at the base of the brain. It regulates basic functions such as body temperature, breathing, blood pressure and heart rate.

Results show that serotonin levels were 26 percent lower in SIDS cases than in controls. Serotonin is a brain chemical that helps regulate mood. It also plays a role in regulating vital functions like breathing and blood pressure.

Measurements of “tryptophan hydroxylase” also were 22 percent lower in SIDS infants. This is an enzyme that is needed to make serotonin.

The authors suspect that this defect may hinder an infant’s capacity to respond to breathing challenges. As a result the child may inhale carbon dioxide that was exhaled while sleeping face down.

"Our research suggests that sleep unmasks the brain defect," senior author Dr. Hannah C. Kinney said in an NIH news release. "When the infant is breathing in the face-down position, he or she may not get enough oxygen. An infant with a normal brainstem would turn his or her head and wake up in response. But a baby with an intrinsic abnormality is unable to respond to the stressor."

Kinney hopes that a test will be developed to detect the abnormality. Steps could be taken to protect the infants who are most vulnerable.

She also said parents should continue to follow the Back to Sleep tips for safe infant sleep.

"Until 12 months of age, babies should sleep on their backs in a crib with a firm mattress, and without toys, soft pillows, excessive blanketing or excessive clothing," she told AFP.

An earlier study led by Kinney involved 31 infants who died of SIDS. The brainstems from SIDS infants contained more neurons that make and use serotonin. This suggested that the brain was compensating for low levels of serotonin.

Read more about sleep and infants and SIDS.

Child Symptoms of ADHD & Sleep Loss Can Be Confused

Australian pediatric sleep expert Dr. Chris Seton recently told the Sydney Morning-Herald that it is very possible to confuse symptoms of ADHD with the effects of sleep deprivation in children.

“A tired five-year-old and a five-year-old with ADHD can both act in the same way," he said. "There's probably a common pathway, but so far researchers have been unable to find what it is."

Last year the Sleep Education Blog reported that children respond to sleep loss in a different way than adults. Sleep-deprived adults tend to be sleepy and sluggish during the day. But sleep-deprived children are often hyperactive.

What could be keeping your child from getting enough sleep? Typically, a combination of biological, social and educational factors.

Recently the Sleep Education Blog reported that children and teens between 8 and 18 years old spend more than 7.5 hours a day watching TV and using electronic devices like cell phones and computers.

Homework, extracurricular activities and time with friends also often cut into sleep time.

Sleep deprivation is linked with behavioral problems and mood disorders in children. Students who are not getting the sleep they need also tend to do worse in school.

How do parents know if their child is sleep deprived? Seton said that a child who can wake up in the morning without an alarm clock is probably getting enough sleep.

ADHD is a serious condition that affects a large number of children. And sleep deprivation is a common alternative explanation for a child’s misconduct. You may want to monitor your child’s sleep habits if you notice changes in his or her behavior.

The AASM recommends that school-aged children sleep between nine and 10 hours each night.

Parents should enforce bedtimes and a nightly routine to help their children get an adequate amount of sleep each night. Sleep experts also recommend keeping the TV and other electronics out of the bedroom.

Learn more about sleep and children. Get help for a sleep problem at an AASM-accredited sleep center near you.

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Sleep Tips for New Parents

Today MarketWatch reporter Ruth Mantell described how working parents struggle to get enough sleep after the birth of a baby.

“Caring for a newborn is tough on working parents, especially with limited corporate parental leave policies,” she wrote.

She offered advice to help sleep-deprived parents. One tip was to develop a routine that involves a manageable feeding schedule.

"A tremendous amount of sleep is habit driven," AASM member Dr. David Rapoport told Mantell. "So if you set up a routine you better be prepared to live with it."

Another tip was to resist comforting your baby every time he or she cries.

"Once you set limits, babies will generally adapt to them after an initial attempt to get as much comforting as they can out of you," Rapoport said.

Last year the Sleep Education Blog reported that there is an ongoing debate regarding the best way to get a baby to sleep. Some support the “cry it out” technique. Others promote “attachment parenting.”

But one technique that should be a part of any parenting style is the establishment of a relaxing bedtime routine. Last year a study found that a nightly routine helps young children sleep better.

There also is a debate regarding the risks of co-sleeping and bed sharing. The AASM reminds parents to avoid putting an infant to sleep in a car seat. And a recent recall involved more than 2.1 million drop-side cribs made by Stork Craft.

Read more about sleep and infants. On SleepEducation.com the AASM offers these sleep tips for new parents.

College Students & Parents: Sleeping in Different Time Zones

Earlier this week Michelle Slatalla wrote in the New York Times about how her sleep was disrupted when her two older daughters came home from college for winter break.

The nocturnal habits that her daughters developed as teens had escalated. At 3 a.m. they texted, made phone calls, played video games and watched TV as if it were daytime.

“It seems as if my husband and I live in a completely different time zone from our children,” Slatalla lamented.

AASM secretary/treasurer Dr. Nancy Collop told Slatalla that these habits tend to reinforce a late-night schedule.

“There are lots of environmental issues that play a role in altering people’s sleep patterns,” said Collop. “The most obvious would be the computer.”

Light is an important timing cue for the brain. It is a signal that tells the brain it is time to be alert. Staring at a brightly lit computer screen at night sends a stimulating signal to the brain.

So will Slatalla ever see her children again?

Sleep researcher Mary Carskadon, PhD, told her not to worry. Their brains are still developing. So their sleep patterns are likely to shift as they get older.

“The brain tends to correct itself,” said Carskadon.

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Less Time to Sleep for Media-Savvy Children & Teens?

A new report shows that children and teens are spending more time using media for entertainment. This increase is driven in large part by access to mobile devices.

The report was released by the Kaiser Family Foundation. It involved a 2009 survey of 2,002 students. They were in the 3rd to 12th grades. Their ages ranged from 8 to 18 years.

The study covered TV, movies, computers, video games, music/audio and print Results were compared with a 2004 survey.

Results show that students reported using entertainment media for more than 53 hours per week. Their average daily recreational media usage was seven hours and 38 minutes. This was an hour and 17 minutes more per day than in 2004.



In the past five years the percentage of students who owned a cell phone increased from 39 percent to 66 percent. Ownership of an iPod or other MP3 player increased from 18 percent to 76 percent.

Only about three in ten students reported that they have rules about how much time they can spend using entertainment media. Media usage dropped by nearly three hours per day when parents set limits.

Seventy-one percent of students reported that they have a TV in their bedroom. Fifty percent said they have a console video game player in their room.

“When children are spending this much time doing anything, we need to understand how it’s affecting them – for good and bad,” Drew Altman, PhD, said in a news release. He is the president and CEO of the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Last year the Sleep Education Blog reported that technology may be taking a toll on teens’ sleep. And studies have examined the relationship between TV viewing and sleep problems in children.

The AASM recommends that parents keep the TV and computer out of their teen’s bedroom. Parents also should set a “communication curfew” at night; set a time after which your teen can no longer talk on the phone or send text messages, instant messages or e-mails.

Learn more about teens and sleep loss on SleepEducation.com. Parents can get more tips for teen bed times.

Teen Depression & Suicide: Sleep, Early Bedtimes Protect Adolescents

A new study shows that teens who go to bed early and get enough sleep may be less likely to suffer from depression and have suicidal thoughts. The results were published in the Jan. 1 issue of the journal Sleep.

The study involved 15,659 adolescents in grades seven to 12. Data were collected from the teens and their parents.

Teens who reported that they usually sleep for five hours or less per night were 71 percent more likely to suffer from depression. They also were 48 percent more likely to think about committing suicide than teens who reported getting eight hours of nightly sleep. Both depression and suicidal thoughts were less likely in teens who reported that they “usually get enough sleep.”

Teens were more likely to have problems if their parents set a weeknight bedtime of midnight or later. They were 24 percent more likely to suffer from depression than teens who had to go to bed at 10 p.m. or earlier. They also were 20 percent more likely to think about committing suicide.

Teens with a bedtime of 10 p.m. or earlier got the most sleep. They reported sleeping for an average of eight hours and 10 minutes per night. This was 40 minutes more than teens with a bedtime of midnight or later.

“Our results are consistent with the theory that inadequate sleep is a risk factor for depression,” lead author James E. Gangwisch, PhD, told the AASM. “Adequate quality sleep could therefore be a preventative measure against depression and a treatment for depression.”

Seven percent of participants had symptoms of depression. Thirteen percent reported that they seriously thought about committing suicide during the past 12 months.

The NIMH notes that girls are twice as likely as boys to have had a major depressive episode by age 15. But males are much more likely than females to commit suicide. In 2006 suicide was the third-leading cause of death for young people between 15 and 24 years old.

Parents reported setting a wide range of bedtimes. Fifty-four percent of parents reported that their teen had to go to bed by 10 p.m. or earlier on weeknights. Twenty-one percent reported setting a bedtime of 11 p.m. Twenty-five percent reported setting a bedtime of midnight or later.

And most teens complied with the bedtime that their parents set. Seventy percent of teens reported going to bed on time. Overall, teens reported going to bed only about five minutes later on average than their bedtime.

The AASM reports that most teens need a little more than nine hours of sleep each night to feel alert and well rested during the day. But a shift in the timing of their body clock causes teens to feel sleepy later at night. This explains why it can be hard for them to fall asleep before 10 p.m.

In August the Sleep Education Blog reported that a teen’s sleep pattern may be a marker of his or her risk for developing depression. Parents can get tips for teen bed times on SleepEducation.com.

Infant Sleep: SIDS & Crib Safety

A new study examined trends and factors associated with infant sleeping position.

The study analyzed telephone surveys from 1993 through 2007. Each year’s survey involved nighttime caregivers of infants born within the last seven months. They were asked, “Do you have a position you usually place your baby in?”

Results show that the proportion of babies placed to sleep on their backs steadily increased between 1993 and 2001. But there was no change after 2001.

Maternal concerns about infant comfort and choking reduced the rate that infants were placed to sleep on their backs. Caregivers were more likely to put infants to sleep on their backs if they were advised to do so by a doctor.

“Placing infants on their backs for sleep remains the single most effective means we know to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome," Marian Willinger, PhD, said in a NIH news release. She is the special assistant for SIDS research at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The NICHD funded the analysis.

In 1994 the NICHD launched the “Back to Sleep” campaign. It urges parents and caregivers to place infants to sleep on their backs.

The NICHD reports that the rate of infant back sleeping has increased from roughly 25 percent to about 70 percent. At the same time, the SIDS rate has decreased by more than 50 percent.

Last month the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the voluntary recall of more than 2.1 million drop-side cribs made by Stork Craft. This included about 147,000 cribs with the Fisher-Price logo. The cribs were sold at major retailers such as Sears and Wal-Mart.



There have been 110 reported incidents of drop-side detachment in the U.S. and Canada. These included 15 entrapments and 20 falls from the crib. Four of the entrapments resulted in suffocation. Fall injuries ranged from concussion to bumps and bruises.

Consumers can contact Stork Craft to receive a free repair kit. It allows you to convert the drop-side on these cribs to a fixed side. Parents and caregivers are urged to stop using the recalled cribs until the repair is made.

Contact Stork Craft toll-free at (877) 274-0277 anytime to order the free repair kit. You also can go online to www.storkcraft.com. For more information on Crib Safety, visit the CPSC's Crib Information Center.

Earlier this year the Sleep Education Blog reported that babies should never be put to sleep in a car safety seat. Learn more about sleep and infants & toddlers.

How Moms Influence Teen Sleep

A new study looked for similarities in the sleep patterns of teens and their parents.

The Swiss study involved 293 teens with an average age of almost 18 years; 73 percent were female.

They completed a seven-day sleep log; they also completed questionnaires about their psychological functioning. The teens rated their parents’ sleep and parenting styles.

Results show a correlation between the sleep patterns of the teens and their parents. The study also found that how mothers sleep may have an indirect effect on the sleep of their teens.

Mothers’ poor sleep had a direct impact on their parenting style. This affected the psychological functioning of teens. Parenting style and teens’ mental functioning combined to influence how teens sleep.

The authors concluded that teen sleep problems may mirror an unfavorable parenting style and sleep complaints among mothers. Understanding this relationship could improve family counseling and treatment of teen sleep complaints.

In August the Sleep Education Blog reported that a teen’s sleep pattern may be a marker of his or her risk for developing depression. Another recent study found that technology use may be taking a toll on the sleep of teens.

Get parent tips for teen bed times on SleepEducation.com.

Image by Michael Porter

Children & Sleep: Fragile Bedtimes

A new study examined the bedtimes of young children in “fragile families.” It presents the latest findings from the ongoing Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study.

What is a fragile family? The researchers use this term for unmarried parents and their children; these families are at greater risk of breaking up and living in poverty than more traditional families.

The study involved 3,217 children who were 3 years of age; all of them were born in large U.S. cities. The presence, time and consistency of bedtime routines were measured by parent report.

Results show that more than 80 percent of the children had a bedtime; but this bedtime was enforced for only two-thirds of the children. And only about half of these children went to bed before 9 p.m., reports CNN.

The study found that black and Hispanic children had later bedtimes than white children; they also had reduced odds of using regular bedtimes and bedtime routines.

Bedtime routines were less common in larger families and poor families; mothers with a lower level of education also were less likely to practice a bedtime routine with their young children.

The authors suggest that children who lack a bedtime and bedtime routine may fail to get enough sleep; the quality of their sleep also may be poor. This can increase their risk for behavioral and cognitive problems.

"What we find is that disadvantaged populations or lower-education populations have worse health outcomes,” lead author Lauren Hale, PhD, told CNN. “And it turns out they have worse sleep problems. Sleep patterns and sleep routines matter because they have both long-term and short-term implications for health and cognitive development."

In July the Sleep Education Blog reported that children who go to bed after 9 p.m. take longer to fall asleep; they also have a shorter total sleep time.

Another recent study showed that a simple, nightly bedtime routine helps young children sleep better.

On Sunday the San Francisco Chronicle published a review of the new book NurtureShock. One chapter of the book describes how sleep loss is affecting child development. You can read and comment on this chapter online.

Learn more about sleep and children on SleepEducation.com.

Parents: Help Kids Go Back to Sleep for School

You have all the school supplies on the list. You have new outfits or uniforms for your child to wear.

(Or you’ve pulled out the clothes that big brother or sister used to wear; they can be “new” again.)

In your head you anticipate all the upcoming changes to your daily schedule. It’s time to go back to school. But are your kids ready to go back to sleep?

Children tend to shift their sleep schedule during the lazy days of summer. They stay up late at night and then sleep late in the morning. So when the first day of school arrives, having to wake up at the crack of dawn can be a shock to the system.

To deal with this problem, sleep experts advise you to help your children begin to adjust their sleep schedule in the days before school starts.

For example your child can start going to bed and waking up 15 minutes earlier each day. This will be much more effective than if he or she tries to go to bed two hours earlier on the night before the first day of school.

Other tips for parents:

- Dim the lights earlier in the evening; let in sunlight earlier in the morning. The brain uses these lighting cues to help set the internal “body clock” that regulates sleep patterns.

- Begin having meals at the times when your children will eat during the school week. Meals are an important timing cue for the body’s sleep-wake cycle.

- Determine what time your child will need to wake up in the mornings for school; then set a

bedtime that will allow your child to get enough sleep. Teens need about nine hours of sleep each night; younger students need up to 11 hours of nightly sleep.

- Start practicing a regular bedtime routine with your child.

- Keep the TV and computer out of your child’s bedroom.

Get more tips to help your child sleep better.

Learn more about helping your child go back to sleep for school on SleepEducation.com. Read more sleep tips for students.

Bedwetting & Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children

A new study shows that “nocturnal enuresis” – bedwetting – is common in children with obstructive sleep apnea.

The study involved 149 children with some degree of sleep apnea – from minimal to severe. They were compared with 139 children in a control group. All children were between 5 and 15 years of age.

Results show that 80 percent of children with a bedwetting problem had some degree of sleep apnea. Children with a bedwetting problem were five times more likely to have sleep apnea.

Typically bedwetting is considered to be a problem if it persists beyond 5 years of age. Bedwetting can occur at any age when it is caused by another problem such as sleep apnea.

The study also found a link between a child’s weight and sleep apnea. Children who were overweight were four times more likely to have sleep apnea.

About two percent of young children have sleep apnea. In June the Sleep Education Blog reported that the causes of sleep apnea in children are complex.

Sleep apnea often occurs when a child has large tonsils and adenoids. But weight and nasal problems also can play a role.

Most children with sleep apnea have a history of snoring. It tends to be loud and may include obvious pauses in breathing and gasps for breath.

In addition to snoring and bedwetting, these are other warning signs that your child may have sleep apnea:

- A rib cage that moves inward as the child inhales
- Body movements and arousals from sleep
- Sweating during sleep
- Sleeping with the neck overextended
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Hyperactivity or aggressive behavior
- A slow rate of growth
- Morning headaches

Your child can get help for sleep apnea at an AASM-accredited sleep center near you.

Treating Nightmares in Children with Imagery Rehearsal Therapy

Imagery rehearsal therapy is an effective way to treat adults with nightmare disorder. A new study from Canada shows that it also can be helpful for children.

The small study involved 11 boys and nine girls between 9 and 11 years of age. Each child had a moderate or severe nightmare problem; they had one nightmare or more per week for at least six months. None of the children had post-traumatic stress disorder.

Eleven children were put on a waiting list; nine of the children were treated with imagery rehearsal therapy. This is a way to train your brain to change your nightmares into a new set of images.

Results show that imagery rehearsal therapy reduced the frequency of nightmares. This effect lasted during a nine-month follow-up period. Nightmares became so rare that the researchers were unable to measure post-nightmare distress.

The AASM reports that children tend to begin having nightmares between the ages of three and six. The frequency of these disturbing dreams usually peaks between the ages of six and 10.

Learn more about nightmares and children.

Large Tonsils Aren’t the Only Cause of Sleep Apnea in Children

Excess body weight is a major risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea in adults. In children, sleep apnea often occurs when a child has large tonsils and adenoids.

But a new study in the journal Sleep shows that the causes of sleep apnea in children are complex. You can’t put all of the blame on the tonsils; weight and nasal problems also play a role in child sleep apnea.

The study involved 700 children between the ages of 5 and 12 years. They were randomly selected from 18 public elementary schools.

Results show that 1.2 percent of children had moderate sleep apnea; it was more common in older children between 9 and 12 years of age. Twenty-five percent of children had mild sleep apnea; 15.5 percent had primary snoring.

Body mass index (BMI) and waist size were significant and strong predictors of both snoring and all severity levels of sleep apnea. Nasal factors such as chronic sinusitis, rhinitis and nasal drain were significant predictors of mild sleep apnea. Black and Hispanic children were more likely to have primary snoring and mild sleep apnea.

And tonsil size? Surprisingly, it wasn’t a significant risk factor for snoring or for any severity level of sleep apnea.

This means that adenotonsillectomy may not always be the best treatment for sleep apnea in children. This surgery involves the removal of the adenoids and tonsils.

Study author Edward O. Bixler, PhD, said that other treatments may be better options for some children with sleep disordered breathing (SDB).

“Risk factors for SDB in children are complex,” Bixler told the AASM. “Treatment strategies should consider alternative options, such as weight loss and correction of nasal problems.”

Get help for child sleep apnea at an AASM-accredited sleep center near you; a board-certified sleep specialist will determine which treatment option is best for your child.

Learn more about sleep apnea in children at SleepEducation.com.

Wired: Technology, Caffeine Keeping Teens Awake at Night

Technology-savvy teens can excel at multi-tasking. They can send text messages, surf the Internet and watch their favorite TV show all at the same time.

But a new study shows that technology may be taking a toll on their sleep. Many teens are staying up too late and consuming too much caffeine. As a result, they’re not getting enough sleep to remain alert during the day.

The study involved students between the ages of 12 and 18 years. They reported how much time after 9 p.m. they use various technological devices.

WebMD reports that watching TV was the most common activity; 82 percent of participants watched TV after 9 p.m. Fifty-five percent reported being online; 44 percent reported talking on the phone; and 42 percent reported listening to an MP3 player. Other common activities were watching movies, text messaging and playing computer games.

Multi-tasking was high; teens used an average of four technological devices after 9 p.m. Teens who did more multi-tasking tended to drink more caffeine.

Only 20 percent of participants got eight to 10 hours of sleep per night; these teens tended to do less multi-tasking after 9 p.m.

Thirty-three percent of teens reported falling asleep in school. Students who fell asleep in class consumed 76 percent more caffeine.

The AASM reports that most teens need a little more than nine hours of sleep each night to feel alert and well rested during the day. But a shift in the timing of their body clock causes teens to feel sleepy later at night. This explains why it can be hard for them to fall asleep before 10 p.m.

The AASM recommends that parents keep the TV and computer out of their teen’s bedroom. Parents also should set a “communication curfew” at night; set a time after which your teen can no longer talk on the phone or send text messages, instant messages or e-mails.

Learn more about teens and sleep loss on SleepEducation.com. Parents can get more tips for teen bed times.

Help Your Infant or Toddler Sleep with This Simple Bedtime Routine

The solution to your child’s sleep problems might be a bedtime routine. A new study in the journal Sleep shows that a nightly routine helps young children sleep better.

What was the routine? The first step was for mothers to give their child a bath. The second step was to give a massage to infants or apply lotion to toddlers. The third step was to engage their child in quiet activities. This might involve cuddling or singing a lullaby. Finally the mothers turned out the lights within 30 minutes of the end of the bath.

This simple, nightly routine made a big difference. Children fell asleep faster, and they had fewer and shorter night wakings. Toddlers were less likely to call out to their parents or get out of their crib or bed.

The study involved 405 children between 7 months and 3 years of age. Mothers completed a daily sleep diary that included details of their child’s sleep patterns.

Go to SleepEducation.com to get more details about how this routine helped children sleep – and improved the mood of mothers.

How Children Affect a Mother’s Sleep-Wake Rhythm

Some women may have a natural tendency to be a “night owl.” But a new study shows that their sleep-wake rhythm may change after they have children.

The study involved 179 women. Some were mothers, some were pregnant, and some had no children.

Results show that women with children are more likely to be “morning types.” This means they would have a stronger tendency to go to bed early and wake up early.

The study found that mothers woke up about 1.5 hours earlier on weekends. Women with children also reported falling asleep faster than the other women.

Which group of women got the most sleep? The women who were pregnant had the longest average sleep duration.

Learn more about the many complex factors that can affect a woman’s sleep.