Snoring 5 Year Old

Updated on October 21, 2008
T.S. asks from Northridge, CA
30 answers

My otherwise really active, kind, funny and healthy 5 year snores like a chainsaw. He shares a room with my other one and the snoring is driving my older one crazy which is leading to neither of them getting enough quality sleep, which is adding a challenging dimension to my days. Three out of four of the grandparents are snorers and one out of two of his parents snore (and I'm not the one). My husband and my father both have Sleep Apnea but I don't think that it can develop this young, nor have I heard him stop breathing at night. I'm wondering if anyone has any theories on what could be causing the snoring and if anyone has any NATURAL solutions to help us all get a better nights sleep.

Thanks for your help.

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J.D.

answers from San Diego on

Hve you tried seeing an ears nose and throat dr. My son had his atnoeds removed bc they were blocking 50% of his breathing. This helped with his slepping and snoaring at night. I hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Honolulu on

He is probably not getting good sleep with all of that restricted breathing. You should see if something can be done to alleviate his snoring. First try the breathe right strips or some other non-invasive means, but also ask you ped or an ear nose and throat doctor.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

My 3 year old snored... Also did a lot of mouth breathing.. She had ear infections quite often, so when they did they tubes they removed her adenoids-- no more snoring.. Maybe get a referral for an ENT?

1 mom found this helpful

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D.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi,
Weirdly enough I just read a new study that said that playing the digereedoo cures both snoring and sleep apnea. It exercises the vocal muscles with the vibrations of the music. (Like a Sonicare toothbrush, it actually stimulates gum growth by the vibration-among other things...) Unlike any other instrument!

That and the exercise of pushing the air through yourself with those same muscles makes them quite toned so they don't go slack. The slackness lets the muscles collapse against the back of the throat and won't let the air through. Not with digg playing, evidently!!

Great solution, yes? Fun, natural, a real solution, and a life skill too!! It can't hurt either, no side effects!!!!

You can make one from PVC pipe if you can't get a real one....

Good luck to you....

Disclaimer: Yes, snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea. It is obviously a serious condition. Check with the docs just to make sure but I'd try the digg!!!

Thanks for looking for natural solutions,
Deb

2 moms found this helpful
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A.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi T.,

My kids don't snore, but I do remember hearing about a study done with snoring kids. What stuck in my head is how snoring negatively affected them in school, I think because of the low quality of sleep the kids were getting. In any case, what I do remember, is that if your child snores, your pediatrician should know. I found this article, although it was published 4 year ago, it's along the lines of what I can recall of the study:
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20040913/snorin...
Hope this helps...good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.A.

answers from San Diego on

They make Breathe Right nasal strips for kids now. Try them, they work!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

Try Breathe Right Strips for Kids.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.T.

answers from San Diego on

probably enlarged tonsils and adenoids. you may want to speak to your doc about it.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

YES 5 yr olds can have sleep apnea, but it could also be allergies or something physical. Have it checked out by DR. In the mean time they do make those nose strips for kids now -- give it a try.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi T.,

My son had enlarged adenoids which caused him to snore. We had them removed and the snoring has stopped. It was a quick and easy surgery. It might be something to ask your doctor about. The adenoids are located near the tonsils and if they are enlarged they can block the airway at night.

good luck.

L.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

Sounds like your 5 year old needs an E.N.T. Your little one may have a problem with his sinuses. if you haven't already talk to your sons doctor and let them know you situation. I was 25 when they finaly figured out i had a deviated syptum. simple surgical fix, I haven't snored since. Good luck wih your little guy.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.G.

answers from Reno on

Hi T.,
Your son could have sleep apnea this young. I would check with your pediatrician or an E.N.T to rule out sleep apnea. If he doesn't they make Breathe Right strips for children, maybe those would help.
Best of luck,
S. G

1 mom found this helpful
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R.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi T.,

Have you asked the pediatrician what's going on? In a child that young it seems there may be some allergies or something else contributing to the problem.

My 2 year old snores, but not all the time, and when he does, it's due to nasal congestion or other symptoms related to asthma.

I wish you luck and all the best to your family.

Blessings,
R.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I don't have advice, just wanted to let you know I know a little boy who had sleep apnea. He had it from birth to recently (age 4). He just had his tonsils and adnoids removed over the summer. He HAD to have something done as he never experienced deep sleep due to this. His Mom says things are great now.

Best wishes,
M.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.D.

answers from Reno on

Every time I take my kids in for their well visits, their doctor asks if they snore. I've never asked her why she asks, because none of them snore, but I'm sure there's a medical reason for her to ask. You may want to let his doctor know that he snores so they can figure out what's going on. Good luck! :)

1 mom found this helpful
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K.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Our ENT told us that children should not snore. DS had a huge snore from the time he was tiny. At 4 he had his tonsils removed and has not snored since. The problem with snoring as it was explained to me, is that children do not get into the deep sleep that they need to grow and their brains need to process all that they have learned in the day. His growth and appetite has improved since then and he is a much happier kid all around since he is getting a good night sleep.

My DD developed sleep apnea at age 3. She had yet to sleep through the night. So I did not wait for my pedi to recommend seeing the ENT. I went straight to the ENT and he scheduled surgery within the week. It was the best decision for both kids.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

Have you looked into allergies? My son was always a snorer, but I realized he snores more and more loudly during allergy season. It's simple enough to give him some Claritin, or get some nasal spray from your pediatrician, to see if that helps clear it up. Just another avenue to check out. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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C.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

According to Mark Weissbluth ("Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child"), who has been a pediatrician for decades and has run a pediatric sleep clinic for much of that time, sleep apnea can indeed start at a very early age.

He basically says that if your kid snores, you really must get it checked out. It may be nothing, or it may be a problem only in that it interferes with good sleep, or it may be a rather serious risk. It's usually treated (if it's serious) by removing tonsils.

I would strongly urge you to get some medical input, just to be safe.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.A.

answers from San Diego on

My three year old was also a snorer, we later discovered he had enlarged tonsils (they were HUGE). He had surgery to have them removed and no longer snores.

1 mom found this helpful
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H.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

He is young to snore. Have his adenoids and tonsils checked to see if they are extra large and need to be removed. Ask his pediatrician about sleep apnea..yes children can have it and you are not awake all night...especially if he seems like he is tired and not getting enough sleep.
H.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.Y.

answers from Los Angeles on

Although rare, your 5 year old could have sleep apnea. I'm in the sleep business. Is your child overweight? If so, the easiest way to alleviate the problem, would be to have him lose weight. A sleep study can evaulate if he does have sleep apnea. Also, just to point out, just because a person snores loudly, does NOT automatically mean they have sleep apnea. Snoring is very different than sleep apnea (which is a cessation of breathing). Does he choke and gasp for air during sleep? That's the most common sign for sleep apnea. But again, if you're concerned about sleep apnea, I would suggest a sleep study. He could also have an enlarged uvulla or tongue which can also cause snoring. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son, who is now 14, has snored since he was very young. I finally had his tonsils and adnoids removed. It has helped, but he still snores, just not as bad or as loud. I find, if I prop pillows behind and in front of him, he does not snore. Maybe one of those contour pillows to keep his head in place while he sleeps?

Snoring is a horrible affliction, because it just not affects the individual but the family. I would start researching for child research studies and any clinical trials, plus a good ENT. Also, if he has a stuffy nose I would use a nasal irigation, like a netty pot, before he goes to bed. That way his nasal passages aren't as stuffy before bed.

Hope this helps. Godd luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

T.,

My son also snores when he's really tired. Maybe try limiting the amount of activities before bedtime, giving him more time to wind down before bed time and also try propping him up on a sturdier or taller pillow.

I hope this helps.

C.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Yes he can have sleep apnea this young. My best friend got her daughter's tonsils and atnoids taken out in her nose and she slept so much better and no snoring. It was causing her to not get enough sleep and be really crabby and tired during the day because she was getting into that rem sleep. I would check in with an ear, nose and throat specialist and see what they reccommend this young.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

first of all is your son overweight? also either it can be the tonsils or his adenoids. my daughter had terrible snoring problems, i don't even think it sounding like snoring it was a roarrrr lol. after she had her tonsils removed the snoring went away. also my neighbors son use to snore alot and his adenoids were enlarged so they took them out and his snoring cleared up. hope this helps. overweight also can cause snoring which i think when my daughter was smaller it was a contributing factore

1 mom found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Sleep apnea is possible at a young age so you may want to mention the snoring to his dr. Even though you don't hear him stop brething, he may not get enough oxygen and cause trouble with a good nights sleep.
It could be from allergies or his tonsils. You can try the brethe right strips to see if that helps.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi, T.,

Your story sounds very much like mine! As the wife and daughter-in-law of extremely loud regular snorers, some of whom have sleep apnea and some of whom probably do not, I am very sleep deprived. My elder son sometimes snores. If a pediatrician or ENT cannot help reduce or eliminate the snoring in your son, when your son's adult teeth finish coming in, your son might try a snore-guard (type of mouth guard) fitted by a dentist. I rarely slept before my husband got one. It has cut the volume of his snore by about 80%. If your son's problem persists, as a last resort, when your son is older, he might consider surgery.

Those nasal snore strips may work occasionally for some, but it does NOTHING for hard core snorers and those that live with them!

Good luck,
Lynne E

1 mom found this helpful
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H.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

My 4 year old had a major problem with snoring because he had enlarged tonsils. Once we got the tonsils removed, he now sleeps so quietly that I have to get very close to him to hear him sleeping.

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L.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I can't agree more with the other moms. Find a good ENT, get tonsils and adnoids checked ASAP! My son snored from the day he was born. The nurses all thought it was cute, it worried me but I never mentioned it to his pedi. Fast forward 3 years, my cute snoring child sounds like a logger, has huge bags under his eyes, is moody, whiny, and rarely happy even though he sleeps 12-14hours a night.

Thankfully my mom read an article that mentioned a study about children and snoring. I took my son to the dr, took the article and asked a few questions. Within 2 months we had a visit with an ENT, tonils out and my son was a new kid. He sleeps like a rock now, no more bags, rarely is unhappy or whiny or moody! I am so glad we had it done for him.

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J.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

Have you tried Breathe Rite Nasal Strips for children? Drug-free...they look like little band-aids that go over the bridge of your nose, and they hold open the breathing passage in the nose. It worked for my daughter's snoring, because better breathing through the nose means less breathing (snoring) through the mouth.

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