Prepare for a conversation with your child’s clinician

Things worth mentioning

• Snoring most nights, gasping, or pauses in breathing during sleep. Pediatric guidance recommends asking about habitual snoring.
• Daytime sleepiness, or changes in mood, attention or behavior.
• Unusual movements, or night events your child doesn’t remember.
• Bedtime or night waking difficulties that are affecting your family a lot.

Before the visit, note

• Usual bedtime, time asleep, wake time and naps for one to two weeks.
• What you’ve already tried and what happened.
• Who cares for your child at bedtime, including across households.
• Your top one or two questions.

Questions you might ask

• Is what we’re seeing typical for my child’s age?
• Is there anything that should be evaluated further?
• Would a referral to a pediatric sleep specialist be helpful?

Reference

Marcus CL, Brooks LJ, Draper KA, et al. Diagnosis and management of childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Pediatrics. 2012;130(3):e714–e755. doi.org/10.1542/peds.2012-1672