Put These 6 Sleep Mistakes To Bed

Children need much more sleep than adults, and not getting enough affects their attention, concentration, reasoning and problem-solving – everything that is required for them to perform well in school, says Dr Chong Yaw Khian, chief of Sleep Disorder Services at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, National Healthcare Group.

Sufficient sleep also keeps the memory in top-notch condition. Without it, it is harder for your child to remember what he learnt and experienced during the day, he adds.

Here, we get the sleep experts to share six things that can sabotage a good night’s rest for Junior, and tips to fix them.

1 Your kid is too tubby

Does Junior snore at night and appear very sleepy in the day? A good night’s rest can remain elusive if your child is too fat.

Obesity can cause a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), experts say. This occurs when your child repeatedly stops breathing when he is asleep, and cuts off oxygen to his vital organs like the brain and heart.

This sleep disorder is particularly detrimental for growing kids as getting sufficient oxygen is critical for their growth and brain development, TTSH’s Dr Chong shares.

About a fifth of obese kids may get it as they have more fatty tissue in the throat and neck, which affects airflow during breathing, says Dr Theodric Lee, a paediatrician at Thomson Paediatric Centre with a special interest in respiratory and sleep medicine.

Breathing, especially during sleep, may also require more effort when there is excess chest and stomach fat, he adds.

Kids may get OSA due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids (the patch of tissue sitting at the back of the nasal passage), which are hereditary.

WHAT TO DO Get your kid’s excess weight in check. To do this, there is no quick fix, says Dr Lee. “Parents have to promote a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy and well-balanced diet, avoid snacking and sweetened beverages,” he says.