2 1/2 year old Granddaughter w/sleep apnea

[chickenmommy]

Can you believe it? She has Downs so the Dr. said it isn't unusual. I just caught it night before last while watching her sleep. She's her sweetest then, ya know. Figured that is what is happening when she wakes up crying. Took her to her Dr and he is scheduling her for a visit with a Pulmonologist for a sleep study. That should be fun. She won't leave anything in her hair or on her head and anything unusual gets picked at so the leads they attach to her will be a constant fight to keep them attached. Should be an adventure! Then what will the treatment be if she is diagnosed with sleep apnea? A breathing machine of some sort for her to sleep with? Another battle. We have been discussing how badly we would fare if the eye doctor said she needs glasses! This whole thing should just be fun!!

[Horse Fork Farm]

Poor baby, lack of sleep is hard on anyone especially little ones. My younger brother is Downs also but he is37 now. Even at his age he doesn't want anything to vary his routine! If the apnea isn't too bad they may want her on a monitor at night that will alarm if she goes too long without breathing. Just 2 or 3 little sticky patches every night. We used it for about 8 months with our preemie Matthew. Hopefully she won't need the other machine but if she does the humming noise from it may help her go to sleep?? Wishing you and her well

[mwhit]

They also make mattress alarms. The child sleeps on a mattress pad that senses lack of breathing (movement) after 30 seconds or so just like the infant monitors with leads. Would be a much better option for a toddler IMO.

There could be several causes for the apnea so don't worry too much yet about dealing with a nCPAP machine. Often the problem can be corrected surgically.

Michelle

[chickenmommy]

Originally Posted by mwhit

They also make mattress alarms. The child sleeps on a mattress pad that senses lack of breathing (movement) after 30 seconds or so just like the infant monitors with leads. Would be a much better option for a toddler IMO.

There could be several causes for the apnea so don't worry too much yet about dealing with a nCPAP machine. Often the problem can be corrected surgically.

Michelle

Thanks for that little bit of valuable info. The mattress pad (if needed) will be the only way to go for this little one!
Not going to worry a lot yet, although you can tell when she has had a bad night as the circles under the eyes are just awful after a sleep troubled night.

[chickenmommy]

Originally Posted by Heartstrings

Poor baby, lack of sleep is hard on anyone especially little ones. My younger brother is Downs also but he is37 now. Even at his age he doesn't want anything to vary his routine! If the apnea isn't too bad they may want her on a monitor at night that will alarm if she goes too long without breathing. Just 2 or 3 little sticky patches every night. We used it for about 8 months with our preemie Matthew. Hopefully she won't need the other machine but if she does the humming noise from it may help her go to sleep?? Wishing you and her well

Isn't it true about routine! If people with Downs ran the world it would be the most scheduled place! Hoping against that machine, although we do have a clock radio in her bedroom that is tuned to a beautiful classical station for her to fall asleep to. Maybe the machine, (if needed) won't be too much of a disturbance.
Thanks for the well wishes!