Sleep

We spend approximately a third of our lives asleep. During sleep we process information, consolidate memories, and recover from each day to help us function during daytime. 

Although the odd night of poor sleep may not affect daily abilities, persistent sleep problems can have a huge impact on individuals and their friends, families, and carers. A lack of sleep is associated with problems with mood, learning, memory, and behaviour. Often parents and family members experience a loss of sleep themselves, which can make managing these aspects of parenting more difficult and may even contribute to low mood and poor concentration. 

In our 2022 article, we describe sleep problems in 12 out of 19 people with Baker-Gordon syndrome. Some people were struggling with settling to sleep, some with maintaining sleep, and others had frequent night wakings that interfered with sleep. 

If you have concerns regarding your child’s sleep, your family doctor might be able to refer you to a sleep specialist or paediatrician. They can give you more strategies to help your child develop better sleep habits and manage problems such as difficulty settling and night-time waking. 

Below are a number of questions that you can ask your GP, sleep specialist or paediatrician regarding your child’s sleep: 

▪ What is the best way for my child to fall asleep and stay asleep during the night? 

▪ What are the benefits and side effects of sleep medications (like melatonin or clonidine)? 

▪ Where should I go for further advice and help? 

UK resources: 

https://cerebra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/sleep-guide-may22-low-res.pdf 

https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/ 

https://contact.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Helping-your-child-sleep.pdf 

AUS resource: 

https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/sleep 

US resources: 

https://www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/Docs/families_and_youth/med_guides/SleepDisorders_Parents-Medication-Guide-web.pdf 

Bullet point overview of above manual: https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Childrens-Sleep-Problems-034.aspx 

https://healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/sleep/Pages/default.aspx