I am trying to figure out if this is sleep apnea or not.  I will call the doctor too, but wanted to get some idea of what I'm dealing with before I do.  Maybe it's nothing?!

My son is five years old, and I've noticed when he is falling asleep, he holds his breath for about 9-10 seconds at a time.  He does have regular breaths periodically.  I am not sure if he does this throughout the night or not.  I'll watch tonight.  Usually, I lay with him until he falls asleep and when he's in deep sleep, I leave.

Does this sound typical of sleep apnea or just a quirky thing he does?

Pal,

There a lot of factors that would help to determine, and they are going to be things the doctor asks. So here are a few, and I'm sure others will chime in.

1. Does he sputter or cough during the night?
2. Does he wake up (alert) at all during the night?
3. Is he tired during the day? (ie..yawning, grumpy, falling asleep in random places)
4. How long does he sleep at night?
5. Does he have behavior issues? (primarily hyperactivity or aggressive)
6. Does he snore?
7. How often does he hold his breath during his sleep and for how long (I stayed up every night for 3 days to get an accurate account of this, I hired a sitter during the day so I could sleep)

I am sure there are more. These are ones they ask me about my son, who is almost 2 years old.

Mom's intuitions are usually right. If you truly believe there is a problem, then be insistent about a sleep study.  He might even have reflux and his body is telling him not to breathe because could aspirate on the acid. It could be a dozen different things.

Speaking of little men, mine just woke up from 12.5 hours of sleep!!

Pal wrote:

I am trying to figure out if this is sleep apnea or not.  I will call the doctor too, but wanted to get some idea of what I'm dealing with before I do.  Maybe it's nothing?!

My son is five years old, and I've noticed when he is falling asleep, he holds his breath for about 9-10 seconds at a time.  He does have regular breaths periodically.  I am not sure if he does this throughout the night or not.  I'll watch tonight.  Usually, I lay with him until he falls asleep and when he's in deep sleep, I leave.

Does this sound typical of sleep apnea or just a quirky thing he does?

Some people have what's called "Sleep onset apneas." If that's the only time he's having them, it can be normal. I know that when you're watching your child's breathing ten seconds is an eternity, but as apnea's go, it's not long at all. They don't even mark apneas on a sleep study until it gets over ten seconds. If he's having daytime symptoms, like falling asleep while playing, behavior issues, or loud snoring or gasping during sleep then you definitely need to get him a sleep study.

Tiffany's right, though. Follow your intuition. Even if he doesn't have other symptoms, if your really worried, take him to his doctor.  Better safe than sorry.

Donna

Sorry! Double post

Donna