Red Flags in Sleep: What Parents Should Know
Updated: 11 minutes ago
When a child isn’t sleeping well, it’s easy to assume it’s a schedule issue, a sleep regression, or simply a habit that needs to change. But sometimes, sleep struggles can be a sign that something else is going on.
As a pediatric sleep consultant, I believe we should look at the whole child before focusing on sleep training. Sleep doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and there are certain signs I watch for that may warrant a conversation with your child’s pediatrician or another healthcare provider.
That’s why I created my Red Flags in Sleep Guide. Just click link below to download.
This free guide is designed to help parents recognize some of the things I look for when assessing a child’s sleep. It also includes a Parent Observation Checklist you can use for a few days before an appointment and bring with you to your child’s provider.
Why observation matters
Your pediatrician sees your child for a relatively short period of time and may not be able to observe what happens while your child is sleeping or throughout an entire day.
You do.
Things like breathing patterns, unusual sleep behaviors, frequent waking, restless sleep, or daytime symptoms can provide valuable information when trying to understand why a child may be struggling with sleep.
Noticing one of these signs does not automatically mean something is wrong, and this guide is not intended to diagnose a medical condition. Instead, it can help you know what to pay attention to and give you specific observations to discuss with your child’s healthcare provider.
Sleep training isn't always the first step
There are times when I recommend that a family speak with their pediatrician or another appropriate provider before we move forward with sleep training.
My goal is never simply to get a baby or child sleeping independently. I want to make sure we’ve considered the bigger picture first.
If your child is struggling with sleep, or something about their sleep just doesn’t seem quite right, this guide is a great place to start.
Download my free Red Flags in Sleep Guide + Parent Observation Checklist Below and spend a few days observing your child before your next appointment.
