Guide · 2 min read

Pediatric Sleep Medicine – Expert Care for Your Child's Sleep

Dr. Minal Patel is board certified in both children's medicine and sleep medicine. That means your child gets the most complete sleep care available.

General information, not medical advice. Read our disclaimer.

CHILDREN · SLEEP

Your child's sleep at a glance

How much sleep your child needs (per 24 hours)

  • Newborns17 hours 14–17 hours
  • Infants16 hours 12–16 hours
  • Toddlers14 hours 11–14 hours
  • Preschoolers13 hours 10–13 hours
  • School-age children12 hours 9–12 hours
  • Teens10 hours 8–10 hours
  • Pediatric sleep medicine treats sleep problems in children and teens.
  • Child sleep apnea often comes from large tonsils or adenoids.
  • Care looks at your child's growth, health and family life.
  • Better sleep habits and sleep training can help.

See a sleep doctor if your child has…

  • Loud snoring or noisy breathing in sleep
  • Mouth breathing
  • Bedwetting after age 5
  • Trouble waking up, or heavy daytime sleepiness
  • Poor school work, behavior problems, or ADHD-like symptoms

Pediatric sleep medicine finds and treats sleep problems in children and teens. Dr. Minal Patel is uniquely qualified. Dr. Patel is board certified in both pediatrics (children's medicine) and sleep medicine.

What sleep problems are common in children?

  • Obstructive sleep apnea — Breathing stops and starts during sleep, often because of large tonsils or adenoids (glands at the back of the throat and nose).
  • Behavioral insomnia of childhood — Fighting bedtime and waking up at night.
  • Night terrors and sleepwalking — Scary episodes or walking around while still asleep.
  • Restless leg syndrome — An urge to move the legs.
  • Delayed sleep phase syndrome — A body clock that runs late, so your child falls asleep and wakes up late. It is common in teens.
  • Narcolepsy — A brain condition that causes strong sleepiness during the day.

What are the signs your child may have a sleep problem?

  • Noisy sleep — Loud snoring or noisy breathing during sleep.
  • Mouth breathing — Breathing through the mouth.
  • Bedwetting — Wetting the bed after age 5.
  • Hard mornings — Trouble waking up in the morning.
  • Daytime sleepiness — Being very sleepy during the day.
  • School and behavior — Poor school work or behavior problems.
  • Attention problems — ADHD-like symptoms.

How does Dr. Patel care for your child's sleep?

Dr. Patel looks at each child's sleep as part of the whole picture. That includes your child's growth, health, and family life. Treatment may include:

  • Behavior strategies — Help with sleep training.
  • Sleep hygiene — Better sleep habits.
  • Pediatric sleep studies — Sleep tests for children.
  • Referral to a medical or surgical specialist — When needed.

Call (512) 931-1575 to schedule a pediatric sleep consultation.

CHILDREN · BEHAVIOR

How poor sleep can look like ADHD

  1. Not enough sleep

    Your child does not get enough sleep.

  2. Overactive

    Your child may seem overactive and act without thinking.

  3. Trouble focusing

    Your child has trouble paying attention, which can look like ADHD.

  4. Treat the sleep

    Treating the sleep problem can greatly improve behavior.

    Key point

Common questions

How much sleep does my child need?
Newborns need 14-17 hours. Infants need 12-16 hours. Toddlers need 11-14 hours. Preschoolers need 10-13 hours. School-age children need 9-12 hours. Teens need 8-10 hours. These amounts are per 24 hours.
Can sleep problems affect my child's behavior?
Yes. Children who don't get enough sleep often seem overactive, act without thinking, and have trouble paying attention. This can look like ADHD. Treating the sleep problem behind it can greatly improve behavior.

Trusted medical sources

This page follows guidance and research from leading medical organizations.

Part of our children's sleep disorders service.