Does Your Child Snore?

Although snoring may seem like an adult problem, children can snore too. Up to 28% of healthy children may snore occasionally, while 3% to 12% may snore habitually. For some children, regular snoring may be a sign of an underlying sleep-related breathing problem, such as obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS).

In many cases, occasional snoring is temporary and may happen when a child has a cold, blocked nose or allergy. However, snoring that happens regularly, especially when your child is otherwise well, deserves closer attention. 

Here are six things parents can take note of

1. Notice How Often Your Child Snores

Snoring that only occurs occasionally, such as when your child has a cold, may settle once they recover. However, snoring that happens regularly, including when your child is well, deserves closer attention. It may be helpful to observe whether the sound is mild and steady or loud enough to be heard from another room.

2. Consider Whether Your Child Has a Blocked Nose

Colds, upper respiratory infections and nasal allergies can narrow the nasal passages and temporarily make breathing noisier during sleep.

Observe whether the snoring improves after the illness or nasal symptoms resolve. If it continues when your child is otherwise well, other factors such as enlarged tonsils and adenoids may be contributing.

Speak to a doctor before giving your child medicines or nasal treatments for persistent snoring.

3. Watch How Your Child Breathes During Sleep

Listening to the snoring is useful, but watching your child’s breathing can tell you more.

Look out for:

• Pauses in breathing
• Snorting, choking or gasping
• Noticeable pulling in of the chest
• Persistent mouth breathing
• Heavy sweating
• Restless sleep or frequent waking
• Sleeping with the neck extended or in an unusual position

These signs do not confirm obstructive sleep apnoea. However, they may indicate that your child is working harder to breathe during sleep and should be assessed by a doctor.

4. Pay Attention to How Your Child Feels During the Day

Children with disrupted sleep may not simply appear tired. Some become irritable, unusually active or less able to concentrate.

Other possible changes include:

• Difficulty waking in the morning
• Morning headaches
• Daytime sleepiness
• Changes in mood or behaviour
• Difficulty concentrating or keeping up at school

If these changes occur together with regular snoring, poor-quality sleep may be affecting your child during the day.

5. Keep a Short Record of What You Notice

Snoring may not occur during a clinic appointment, so observations from home can be helpful.

Over several nights, note:

• How often your child snores
• Whether they are unwell or have nasal symptoms
• Whether their breathing pauses or becomes laboured
• How restless their sleep appears
• Whether there are changes in their energy, mood or concentration

A short video or audio recording may also help the doctor understand what happens during sleep. However, it cannot confirm or rule out a sleep-related breathing condition.

6. Understand That Treatment Depends on the Cause

Not every child who snores needs treatment. If the snoring is caused by a temporary cold or blocked nose, it may improve when the child recovers.

If obstructive sleep apnoea is suspected, an overnight sleep study will be helpful to assess your child’s breathing and sleep quality, as well as confirm whether sleep apnoea is present and how severe it is.

When treatment is needed, it depends on what is narrowing the airway. Options may include managing nasal and airway allergies, removing enlarged tonsils and adenoids, supporting healthy bodyweight, myofunctional therapy or using positive airway pressure during sleep.

When Should You Speak to a Doctor?

Consider speaking to a doctor if your child:

• Snores loudly or regularly
• Continues snoring after a cold or nasal symptoms have resolved
• Gasps, chokes or appears to stop breathing during sleep
• Sleeps restlessly or in an unusual position
• Is frequently tired, irritable or unusually active during the day
• Has changes in concentration, behaviour or school performance
• Has snoring together with poor growth or other health concerns

Call 995 for an ambulance if your child has severe breathing difficulty, becomes blue or grey around the lips, is unresponsive or is difficult to wake.

Most occasional snoring is not a cause for alarm. However, observing your child’s sleep and daytime behaviour can help you recognise when snoring deserves a closer look. A doctor or paediatrician can assess the possible cause and advise whether further investigation or treatment is needed.

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