Snoring in Toddlers

According to pediatric experts, approximately 10% of children snore frequently or regularly. 25% to 40% of children have difficulty breathing while asleep. The sound of a snoring toddler can be soft and cute, but it can also be loud and interrupt sleep. It could be a sign of a sleep disorder.

As a parent, you want to know if your child’s snoring is normal or a health concern. There are a few potential causes of snoring; in most cases, it isn’t anything to worry about. Learn more about what triggers toddler snoring, when to be concerned, and what you can do about it.

Pediatric Sleep Disordered Breathing

Also known as SDB, pediatric sleep-disordered breathing is the official scientific term for any breathing difficulty in a sleeping child.

Snoring is a common sign of SDB. It occurs when the child’s breath causes the soft palate and uvula in the back of the mouth to vibrate.

These soft tissues in the back of the throat and mouth sometimes relax and collapse, triggering the vibrations that become snoring. Children generally snore when in the deep sleep stage.

When to Worry About a Child’s Snoring

Most people, even children, snore sometimes, and it isn’t a problem. When children snore regularly, it can be a sign of an underlying problem that must be addressed. Always talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns about your child’s health.

For snoring in a child, in particular, some warning signs should concern you:

• Loud snoring or habitual snoring
• A pause of several seconds between breaths
• Choking sounds or gasping for breath
• Mouth breathing
• Waking frequently at night combined with regular snoring
• Restless sleep and movement throughout the night
• Sleepwalking or talking
• Difficulty waking in the morning or not feeling rested
• Falling asleep too easily during the day
• Behavior problems during the day, such as inattentiveness or impulsiveness
• Irritable or cranky mood during the day

Snoring that causes any significant dysfunction, such as not sleeping well and being too tired during the day, is a concern and should be addressed. Snoring can have a big impact on getting quality sleep.

What Causes Snoring in a Toddler?

There are many potential causes of a child’s snoring. It could be a temporary infection or a structural problem in the mouth and throat that causes nightly snoring.

Your pediatrician or a specialist can give you a better idea of what underlies your child’s snoring, but these are some of the common causes:

An Upper Respiratory Infection

If your child has a cold or the flu, they might snore for the duration of the infection. A stuffy nose is a usual trigger here, forcing a child to breathe through the mouth when sleeping. This doesn’t always cause snoring, but it often does.

Allergies and Other Air Irritants

A similar trigger to infections is an allergy. Seasonal allergens like pollen or indoor allergens like dust can irritate the upper respiratory system, causing discomfort, inflammation, congestion, and snoring.

If you live somewhere with poor air quality, this can also cause snoring. Particulate pollutants in the air, like smoke, can cause inflammation and other symptoms similar to those caused by allergens. Again, this can make your child snore more frequently.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

If your child snores regularly and has for some time, there could be an underlying structural issue. Obstructive sleep apnea causes breathing to stop periodically throughout the night. The cause is a physical obstruction, such as narrowing the airways.

While many adults develop sleep apnea as a consequence of obesity, in children, a more common cause is enlarged adenoids and tonsils.

Other risk factors can cause or contribute to pediatric sleep apnea, including obesity, a family history of the condition, and specific medical conditions.

Deviated Septum

Another structural problem that can cause snoring in both children and adults is a deviated septum. The septum is the piece of cartilage that separates the two nasal passages. If it is crooked or uneven, one passage is narrower, which can cause difficulty breathing and snoring.

Seeing Your Child’s Pediatrician

Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about your toddler’s snoring if it concerns you. If there isn’t an apparent and temporary cause, like a cold, you should get an evaluation to find out the underlying causes, rule out certain conditions, and find solutions.

Preparing for the Appointment

Before your appointment, take some time to make a sleep journal. Record observations about your child’s sleeping, breathing, snoring, and related behaviors. Most importantly, record the frequency of snoring and any concerning symptoms.

It can also be helpful for your doctor to hear about other behaviors that occur during the day. Any unusual moods or problem behaviors could be related to snoring. Describe your child’s sleep routine and habits as well.

What to Expect

A visit to your child’s doctor might be just the first stop. They can examine your child, take note of symptoms and your sleep journal, and rule out some conditions.

If they suspect your child has an obstruction or cannot determine the underlying cause, they recommend you see a sleep specialist.

They may ask you to allow your child to have a sleep study done. This requires sleeping overnight in a testing area with equipment and sensors. Some of the tests your child might need to determine the cause of snoring include:

• Polysomnogram. This test uses sensors to measure several things as your child sleeps. These include brain waves, breathing, snoring, heart rate, muscle activity, and oxygen levels.
• Oximetry. Your child may not need a full polysomnogram or sleep study. If your doctor thinks they have obstructive sleep apnea, they can use oximetry to measure oxygen levels while your child sleeps. You might be able to do this test at home.
• Electrocardiogram. Although it’s unlikely, an underlying heart condition may trigger snoring. This test allows the doctor to measure the electrical impulses in the child’s heart.

Your doctor will tell you if your child needs any additional testing to rule out conditions and find the real cause of snoring.

How Is Snoring in a Toddler Treated?

Treatment for snoring depends on the underlying issue. It could be as simple as getting a new allergy medication or medications for a sinus infection. Treatment is usually more involved for sleep apnea and obstructions.

Medications

Your pediatrician or specialist is likely to start with conservative treatments. For instance, a nasal steroid can help reduce inflammation in the nasal passages. If your child has asthma or allergies, specific medications can relieve symptoms.

Mouthpieces

An oral device, or mouthpiece, might help your child breathe more easily at night. A mouthpiece should be fitted specifically to your child. The purpose of the device depends on the child’s needs. Some expand the soft palate, while others hold the tongue in a certain position.

CPAP Machine

As with adults, some children with sleep apnea benefit from continuous positive airway pressure. A machine used at night blows air through the back of the throat to keep it from collapsing and causing the problematic obstruction.

Surgery

If enlarged adenoids or tonsils are the culprits, your child could benefit from surgery to remove them. A pediatric ear, nose, and throat specialist can determine if your child is a good fit for this treatment. If so, they will remove the tissue that gets in the way of breathing.

Home Remedies for Snoring

In addition to proper medical care, parents can help their children sleep better to limit or minimize snoring:

• Manage allergies, asthma, and infections. Protect them from air pollutants that can trigger or worsen allergies and asthma, such as smoke. An indoor air filter can help during seasonal allergies or if you live in an area with a lot of pollution.
• Change diet and exercise. If your child is overweight, it could be contributing to sleep difficulties. Encourage your child to be more active, implement a healthy diet for overall wellness, and help them get to a better weight.
• Create a positive bedtime routine. Good sleep hygiene might not cure snoring, but it can help. Make sure your child goes to bed and wakes up simultaneously every day. Create a soothing routine to prepare them for bed every night. This could include a bath followed by story time or meditating together.

Snoring in children affects sleep quality and can indicate an underlying medical condition. Some cases of childhood snoring resolve on their own, but some kids need medical care.