Sleep apnea occurs when one stops breathing throughout the night, taking small pauses, and then begins gasping for air to begin breathing again. It can be very disruptive to one's sleep, and very concerning for those who observe this sleep pattern. Sleep apnea can be divided into central (CSA) and obstructive (OSA). Obstructive occurs when something in the back of the throat prevents one from breathing. Those who are overweight, have a wide neck, and males are at increased risk for developing OSA. 

CSA can be a bit more alarming because it's an issue with the brain, and not with the muscles in the back of the neck. We are going to talk about CSA in children, and what are appropriate treatment steps. 

Children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often struggle with a lack of attention and overactivity. Do these problems roll over into sleep? Absolutely. Children with ADHD often struggle with sleep issues, from insomnia to other sleep disorders. It's important to treat sleep problems, as this can reduce both sleep disorders and ADHD symptoms. Continue reading to find out more about this connection. 

Children with autism may have trouble sleeping, which can be problematic for both them and the family. Many children with autism experience sleeping issues. When children are diagnosed with autism, parents should monitor sleeping problems that they can share with their physician. Below is more information on how sleep and autism are connected, and what you can do to help. 

The hardest part about having children of different ages is that they are able to do different things based on their age, maturity, school schedules, etc. This can be especially hard for younger children who take pride in feeling older. When it comes to getting adequate sleep, this can definitely be a challenge. Younger children with earlier bedtimes may want to stay up because their siblings can. However, you don't want to hold back the older children because they feel as if they have progressed from their "childhood bedtimes". It's a tough balance, but it's necessary to prioritize the sleep health of the children over their individual desires. Continue reading to find out some great tips for balancing the different sleep schedules. 

Athletes need sleep for optimal performance. Sleep is a time when the body can perform many necessary repairs for athletes to avoid injury and maintain high energy levels. However, the more muscular athletes are, the more their ability to get restful sleep is impaired. Continue reading to find out how sleep and body composition are related. 

School start times vary between elementary, middle, and high school, making it difficult to establish and maintain a consistent schedule for K-12. However, sleep needs change as children develop, and it's important that school start times reflect this. What also needs to be considered when deciding school start times is how they impact parents. Continue reading to learn more about optimal school start times. 

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that impacts your ability to breathe during the night. Although discussed as a part of adult health, children could also be at risk for sleep apnea. It's important that you recognize if your child has sleep apnea and get them the proper help as proper oxygenation and quality sleep is important for their growth and development. 

For women, there is that time once a month when you experience your menstrual cycle. However, the menstrual cycle is not isolated to just those 3-7 days. There are often extra-cycle symptoms that affect women a majority of the days in a month. If there are numerous symptoms or the severity of them is great, then you may be diagnosed with PMS or PMDD. A common symptom that women with PMS or PMDD experience is insomnia. Continue reading to find out how your menstrual cycle may be negatively impacting your sleep. 

Cosleeping is a term for sleeping with your baby or child in the same bed. Although there are different theories on the safety and wellbeing effects of cosleeping, this practice may help you and your child in the long run. It's important to note that small infants who are at risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) should not be in the same bed, but should be in a separate space with a firm mattress and a fitted sheet to avoid suffocation. However, as children grow older and their safety risks decline, extended cosleeping may still be an option for your family. Read more to decide if this is the right move for your family.

How Much Sleep Do Children Need?

The amount of sleep babies and children need fluctuate from 17 hours for newborns to 9 hours for school-aged children [Baby Center]. A lack of sleep for children can significantly impact children's performance, both in school and in behavior.

For children with existing conditions that affect their learning, sleep problems further compound their inability to properly learn. 

How much sleep your child should be getting depends on how old they are. While every child is different, here is a rough estimate of how much sleep children should be getting based on age:

• Newbord: 16-17 hours day
• 1-12 months: 12-16 hours per day
• 1-2 years: 11-14 hours per day
• 3-5 years: 10-13 hours per day
• 6-12 years: 9-12 hours per day
• 13-18: 8 to 10 hours per day

The above numbers are total sleep hours, including naps.