2006 Archive

Back to School brings on the Back to Bedtime Blues

Stollery Children's Hospital Sleep Specialists help Children get enough shut-eye

"I counted sheep till I got to 470 and it still didn't work," exclaims Emily Majaesic. The nine year old was referred to the Stollery Children's Hospital pediatric sleep clinic when her parents lost their bedtime battle and noticed that it was impossible to wake her in the morning. 

"This is not uncommon for children." says Dr. Manisha Witmans, Director of the Stollery Children's Hospital's sleep lab and one of only two certified pediatric sleep specialists in Canada. "At least one in 20 adolescents and young adults suffers from 'delayed sleep phase syndrome'. They struggle to fall asleep at night, have a hard time waking up in the morning and are extremely tired at school as a result."

The demand for help to overcome such childhood sleep challenges is so high that Capital Health has recently expanded its service. The Northern Alberta Pediatric Sleep Centre (N.A.P.S.) will include three specialized hospital rooms at the Stollery Children's Hospital. Each will be equipped with high tech monitors where the pediatric sleep team works around the clock to study a young patient's sleep habits in order to properly diagnose and treat sleep disorders.

"One 16-year-old missed 44 days of school last year because he could not get to bed before midnight and was not able to go to school or to function effectively when he was able to attend class. He is now home schooled and we are actively trying to help him reset his internal clock. Some sleep problems are behavioural and others medical." says Witmans.

About 1500 children and teens are treated at the sleep clinic every year. Another 700 spend the night hooked up to electrodes in one of the specially-equipped hospital rooms while a sleep technician monitors their brainwaves.

For parents trying to get children back on schedule after the long, lazy late nights of summer, the challenge can seem daunting.

"Getting them back to bed earlier cold turkey does not work" according to Dr. Witmans. She suggests advancing their bedtime by 15 minutes. "If the child falls asleep relatively quickly, advance it another 15 minutes every couple of nights until you reach the desired bedtime schedule."

On average, children require ten to 11 hours of sleep whereas adolescents require about nine hours of sleep a night.

To help get this much shut eye, Dr. Witmans suggests a few basic steps:

• Avoid caffeine before bed time (i.e. Colas, chocolate, energy drinks)
• Avoid physical activity before bed time
• Do not have a television or electronic gadgetry in the bedroom 
• Keep the bedroom cool at night and allow the child to wake up with sunlight in the room   
• Maintain a regular bedtime and wake time
• Establish an age appropriate bedtime routine.

Medical experts at the Stollery Children's Hospital Pediatric Sleep Clinic suggest parents seek medical advice if their child has persistent night snoring and struggles to breathe. Other warning signs include a child requiring a nap after age five, failing grades in school and the inability to wake up in the morning or go to sleep at night.

For Emily Majaesic getting that much slumber might be achieved by sticking to a simple bedtime routine and having a regular wake time. "I have a snack, a bath, and then read with my brother and sister and then my Mom and I snuggle and it's lights out."

• More Back to School information for parents and teachers