Congratulations on taking this important step towards understanding and improving your child's health!

It is during sleep that their bodies grow and repair, and their brains consolidate the information they have learned during the day. Quality sleep ensures that they wake up refreshed and ready to face the day ahead. However, many children suffer from sleep disordered breathing issues, such as snoring or sleep apnea, which can have a profound impact on their health and daily functioning.

As parents, we all want our kids to sleep well and breathe easily. But sometimes, it can feel like an impossible task. This course is designed to be fun and engaging using proven strategies for success. Remember, your kids' sleep and breathing patterns play a crucial role in their overall well-being. By addressing these issues and ensuring proper breathing, we can help improve their sleep quality, boost concentration and learning potential, and enhance their overall well-being.

In this course, we will explore various techniques and tips to help improve your child's sleep and breathing. By the end of this course, you will be equipped with a toolbox of information and strategies to help your child sleep better and breathe easier.

So, let's dive right in!

I would like to introduce you to Australia's leading paediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist Dr David McIntosh. He explains more about why a proper airway examination is important for your child. A MUST WATCH video for all parents

What do tonsils look like?

Large tonsils can significantly reduce airway space, affect eating, swallowing and rest position of the tongue.

Why your GP or ENT may refer for an X-Ray

This is an example of a Lateral Cephalometric X-ray that assists in the diagnosis of an airway obstruction. On the left you can see an airway that is normal in size. On the right you can see an example of adenoid enlargement that significantly reduces the size of the airway. When the nose is physically blocked, mouth breathing happens as a result. A blocked airway requires medical attention from an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist.

If you are concerned that your child needs a proper airway exam, make an appointment with your doctor. A paediatric ENT referral needs to come from your doctor. To assist you with this discussion, please download or print the Paediatric sleep questionnaire below to take to your appointment.

Additional photos or videos (with sound) of your child sleeping also can be helpful in their evaluation.

Symptoms relevant for your discussion with you doctor are:

• Snoring
• Stopping breathing during sleep
• Tired, moody, grumpy during the day
• Difficulty with speech and/or swallowing
• Tooth grinding
• Hot and sweaty during sleep

This is not about tonsilitis, its about breathing during sleep