Child Sleep Disorders: Common Types, Causes, and Treatment (Part 2)

Quick Answer

Most sleep disturbances in children are normal developmental phases, NOT disorders! True sleep disorders like sleep apnea, sleepwalking, and restless leg syndrome affect only a small percentage of children and are very treatable. If your bachcha raat ko jagta hai occasionally or has nightmares, it’s likely normal - but this guide will help you identify when professional help is needed.

Common Sleep Disorders Explained (Neend Ki Samasyaein)

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) - Sans Rukna

What happens: Child’s breathing stops briefly during sleep due to blocked airway.

Signs to watch:

• Loud snoring (kharrate)
• Breathing pauses during sleep
• Gasping or choking sounds
• Sleeping with mouth open
• Restless sleep, unusual positions
• Daytime sleepiness despite adequate sleep hours

Common cause: Enlarged tonsils or adenoids (very common in Indian children)

2. Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) - Pair Mein Bechaini

What happens: Uncomfortable sensations in legs causing urge to move them.

Signs to watch:

• Child says legs feel “crawly,” “tingly,” or “hurty”
• Can’t sit still, especially in evening
• Kicks legs while sleeping
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Often mistaken for “hyperactivity”

Note: Children may not be able to explain the sensation properly.

3. Sleepwalking (Neend Mein Chalna)

What happens: Child walks around or does activities while still asleep.

Signs to watch:

• Gets out of bed and walks around
• Eyes open but glazed look
• Doesn’t respond when spoken to
• No memory of event next morning
• Usually happens 1-2 hours after falling asleep

Important: Most common in ages 4-8, often runs in families. Usually not dangerous, but keep the sleeping environment safe.

4. Night Terrors vs Nightmares

Feature	Night Terrors	Nightmares
When	1-2 hours after sleeping	Later in night (REM sleep)
Awareness	Child doesn’t wake, doesn’t remember	Child wakes up, remembers dream
Behavior	Screaming, thrashing, inconsolable	Crying, seeks comfort
Eyes	Open but not seeing	Open, alert
Duration	5-30 minutes	Brief once awake
Age	3-8 years most common	Any age

5. Sleep Talking (Neend Mein Baatein)

Usually not a cause for concern. Very common in children. No treatment needed unless associated with other problems.

Age-Specific Normal vs Concerning

Age	Normal Sleep Behavior	When to Investigate
0-1 year	Frequent waking, irregular patterns	Loud snoring, blue lips during sleep
1-3 years	Occasional nightmares, resistance to bedtime	Nightly terrors, chronic snoring
3-6 years	Sleepwalking episodes, night fears	Daily sleepwalking, daytime sleepiness
6-12 years	Occasional bad dreams	Snoring + poor school performance

When to Worry (Red Flags)

🚨 This is an emergency — call 112 (national emergency) or 108 (ambulance) or go to the nearest hospital if you see:

• Breathing stops during sleep and the child does not start breathing again, or struggles to breathe
• Blue or grey lips, face, or tongue while sleeping (a sign the body isn’t getting enough oxygen)

See a doctor urgently (same day) if:

• Repeated witnessed breathing pauses during sleep
• Pale colour or very laboured breathing during sleep
• Severe daytime sleepiness affecting school
• Sleepwalking that puts child in danger
• Night terrors every night

Schedule appointment if:

• Loud snoring most nights
• Child consistently tired despite sleeping enough
• Difficulty falling asleep every night
• Restless legs affecting sleep
• Sleepwalking continues after age 8
• Behavior/learning problems possibly linked to poor sleep

What You Can Do (Ghar Pe Kya Karein)

General Sleep Hygiene

Bedtime Routine (Sone Ki Aadat):

• Same bedtime every night
• Calming activities before bed
• No screens 1 hour before sleep
• Cool, dark, quiet room
• Comfortable bedding

For Sleepwalking:

• Keep environment safe - gates on stairs, lock doors
• Don’t wake the child - gently guide back to bed
• Keep a sleep diary
• Ensure enough total sleep (overtiredness triggers it)

For Night Terrors:

• Don’t try to wake the child
• Stay calm and wait it out
• Make sure child is safe
• Avoid overtiredness (common trigger)

For Nightmares:

• Comfort and reassure
• Night light if needed
• Discuss fears during daytime
• Avoid scary content before bed

For RLS:

• Regular exercise during day
• Warm bath before bed
• Leg massage
• Check iron levels with doctor

Treatment Options (Ilaaj)

Condition	Treatment Approach
Sleep Apnea	Adenoid/tonsil removal (very effective), CPAP if needed
Sleepwalking	Usually outgrown, safety measures, scheduled awakening
Night Terrors	Usually outgrown, address triggers
Nightmares	Reassurance, anxiety management if frequent
RLS	Iron supplementation if deficient, lifestyle changes

When medication is needed:

• Melatonin for sleep onset problems (only under doctor’s guidance)
• Specific medications for RLS if severe
• Most conditions don’t need medication!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Mera bachcha raat ko chillata hai aur yaad nahi rehta. Kya yeh normal hai?

A: This sounds like night terrors (raat ka darr) - very different from nightmares. Night terrors are common between ages 3-8 and usually not dangerous. Don’t try to wake the child - stay nearby for safety. Most children outgrow them by age 12. If happening every night or causing injury, consult your pediatrician.

Q: Bachcha bahut kharrate leta hai. Kya doctor dikhana chahiye?

A: Occasional light snoring is normal, but loud snoring every night is NOT normal in children. It could indicate enlarged tonsils/adenoids or sleep apnea. Watch for: breathing pauses, gasping, sleeping with mouth open, and daytime tiredness. If present, definitely see an ENT specialist - many children need adenoid/tonsil surgery which dramatically improves sleep.

Q: 5 saal ka bachcha neend mein chalta hai. Kya khatarnak hai?

A: Sleepwalking is quite common in children ages 4-8 and usually not dangerous. It often runs in families. Your main job is to keep the environment safe - use gates on stairs, lock external doors, remove hazards. Don’t wake the child - gently guide back to bed. Most children outgrow it by teenage years. If happening frequently or child is doing dangerous things, consult a sleep specialist.

Q: Raat ko sone nahi deta - pair mein taklif kehta hai. Kya hai yeh?

A: This could be Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) or growing pains. With RLS, children describe an uncomfortable “need to move” feeling in legs, worse at bedtime. Try: warm bath, leg massage, regular daytime exercise, and check with doctor about iron levels (iron deficiency worsens RLS). Growing pains usually affect both legs and respond to massage and warmth.

Q: Neend ki goli deni chahiye bachche ko?

A: NO! Sleep medications are rarely needed for children and should never be given without doctor’s prescription. Most sleep problems are solved with: consistent sleep schedule, good sleep hygiene, addressing underlying issues (anxiety, screen time, etc.). If problems persist, see a sleep specialist who will find the root cause rather than just prescribing medication.

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This article was reviewed by Babynama Pediatricians. Last updated: January 2025

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General information for Indian parents, not a substitute for your pediatrician. In an emergency, call 112 or 108.