Sleep Medicine

Why sleep is important for your child

A good night’s sleep is important for everyone—but it’s especially important for children. While they sleep, their bodies make the cells needed for growth and development. If you’re concerned about your child’s sleep, the pediatric sleep experts at Banner Children’s are here to help. We diagnose and treat a wide range of sleep-related conditions in kids of all ages. 

Common sleep conditions in children

Getting enough rest is key to your child’s mood, learning, behavior and overall health. Sleepiness during the day can affect how they grow, perform in school and interact with others. Here are some of the most common sleep disorders in kids: 

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)

Excessive daytime sleepiness means your child feels overly tired during the day, even if they slept all night. This can happen when your child doesn’t get enough sleep, gets too much sleep or doesn’t get good-quality sleep. 

There are two main types of EDS: 

• Primary hypersomnia: Also called idiopathic hypersomnia, this form has no known cause. 
• Secondary hypersomnia: This can result from health conditions like kidney disease, infections, myotonic dystrophy, certain types of depression or brain-related sleep-wake issues. 

Signs of excessive sleepiness in kids include: 

• Feeling very sleepy even after 10+ hours of sleep 
• Taking naps that don’t relieve sleepiness 
• Needing to nap at unusual times (like during school) 
• Waking up confused or groggy 
• Difficulty waking up, even after a long sleep 

Excessive daytime sleepiness is more common in teens and adults, but it can affect children too. A detailed medical history and physical exam can help rule out other causes before referring your child to a sleep specialist.

Insomnia in children

Insomnia means having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up too early. Kids can have short-term insomnia due to stress, illness or medication. Some children also deal with long-term or recurring insomnia. 

There are two main types: 

• Primary insomnia: Often linked to poor sleep habits, irregular bedtimes or anxiety about sleeping. 
• Secondary insomnia: Usually caused by another medical or behavioral health condition. 

Insomnia can appear in three ways: 

• Sleep onset insomnia: Trouble falling asleep (taking longer than 30 minutes). 
• Sleep maintenance insomnia: Waking up in the night and struggling to fall back asleep. 
• Early morning awakening: Waking up much earlier than needed. 

Signs of insomnia in children include: 

• Trouble falling or staying asleep 
• Waking up in the night or too early 
• Daytime drowsiness 
• Resisting bedtime 
• Mood or behavior changes, like depression or trouble focusing 

Possible causes of insomnia include: 

• Stress or anxiety 
• Stimulants like caffeine 
• Behavioral conditions such as ADHD, depression or bipolar disorder 
• Environmental factors like light, noise or temperature 
• Other sleep disorders like sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome 
• Medical issues such as asthma, eczema or allergies 
• Certain medications, such as those for seizures, ADHD or depression 

Sleep-related movement disorders

Several types of movement during sleep can affect kids. These include: 

• Rhythmic movement disorder (RMD): Repetitive body motions like head-banging or rocking during sleep. Most cases are harmless unless they interrupt sleep or cause injury. 
• Sleep myoclonus of infancy: Brief jerks in the arms, legs or whole body that usually begin within the first two weeks of life and go away by age 1. This is often confused with seizures but is typically not serious. 
• Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD): Involuntary leg or arm movements during sleep. Your child may not notice them, but they can cause nighttime awakenings. PLMD is sometimes linked to restless legs syndrome. 
• Restless legs syndrome (RLS): A strong urge to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations, especially at bedtime or when sitting still. This can be mistaken for growing pains. 

Sleep apnea in children

Sleep apnea happens when a child’s breathing is partially or fully blocked during sleep. It’s usually caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids, but it can also result from obesity or other conditions. 

If untreated, sleep apnea can affect your child’s growth, behavior and ability to learn. Diagnosing and treating it early can help prevent complications. 

Sleep-wake schedule problems

If your child’s internal clock (circadian rhythm) doesn’t match up with the day-night cycle, they may struggle to fall asleep or wake up at the right times. These sleep-wake disorders can lead to poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue. 

Why choose Banner Children's for sleep care?

Sleep issues like nightmares, night terrors, bedwetting or sleepwalking may be more than just a phase. If your child is having trouble sleeping, talk to their doctor. They may recommend testing, treatment or a referral to a sleep specialist. 

Sleep care at Banner Children’s

At Banner Children’s, we take your child’s sleep seriously. Our pediatric sleep specialists combine compassionate care with advanced testing and treatments to help your child—and your family—get the rest you need. Whether your child is struggling with bedtime battles or more complex sleep issues, we’re here to help.