Conference moira::parenting_v3

    When it gets too loud, try rolling him onto his tummy.
    
    Aaron is a snorer, most likely due to large adenoids, which seemingly
    obstruct his air passages, and make him a "mouth breather."  They
    showed up on X-rays taken for orthodontic work he started recently, and
    may have contributed indirectly to his jaw-shape problems.  We got
    referred to an ENT specialist, who we'll see next month.  I haven't
    learned much about adendoids, yet (any veterens out there?).
    
    		- Bruce

    Steven snored really loudly at that age, but he outgrew it a
    couple of years ago.  I never connected it with the sleeping
    position, but he, too, liked to sleep on his back with his arms
    over his head.  
    
    Does your son have other signs of allergies when he's awake?  
    
    --bonnie

    No signs of allergies. I keep a close eye on him because his father has
    trouble with hayfever but Berk has never shown any signs of hayfever.
    We asked the doctor this when he had a cold that hung on for weeks
    thinking it might be because of hayfever. He doesn't sneeze or have any of
    the other typical signs of allergies to the environment. 
    
    Yes, we have rolled him over but the problem is that he is such a
    wiggly little kid when he sleeps that he is soon back on his back. I'd
    be up and down all night long turning him around!!! He does only snore
    while on his back and breathes heavy when on his side. 
    
    What are the methods of detecting problems with adenoids? X-ray only?
    
    We do plan on waiting in hopes he will outgrow it. 
    
    Thanks,
    Andrea

    re: .3
    
    No experience with the adenoids, but a couple of hints for coping
    with the snoring:
    
    Steven's snoring wasn't usually a problem for us, but on the rare
    occasions when we had to sleep close to him, he would disturb our
    sleep pretty badly.  
    
    One of those nights was very hot.  We turned on a fan, and
    discovered that not only did it cool the room, it also drowned out
    his snores so we could all sleep.
    
    So you might try something like a fan or an air cleaner in your
    bedroom -- something that makes a background noise that's not loud
    enough to drown out any important sounds from Berk or to disturb
    your sleep.  
    
    I've also read that tying a knot in the tail of the back of the
    child's pajamas will help keep them from sleeping on their backs. 
    The lump is uncomfortable, so they roll over and don't snore as
    much. I never tried this one personally; my guess is that Steven
    would sleep right through it.
    
    Does he sleep on a pillow?  Sometimes if a person's head is
    propped up so their chin falls forward, it pinches the airway and
    contributes to snoring.
    
    --bonnie

    
    RE: adenoids
    	This is very prevelant and the most common cause (after deviated
    septum) of children snoring. An Xray is usually the best way of
    determining if all is ok or not but sometimes a good ENT (ear nose
    throat) doctor can tell from examination. There is also a condition
    known as sleep apnia (sp). I don't know alot about it and doctors
    aren't exactly sure what causes it but it apparently can be treated.
    There is a sleep disorders clinic at Children's Hospital in Boston
    that deals with all kinds of sleep related disorders.
    
    

    
    I can speak from experience.....It may not be the adenoids.  Joshua
    had his adenoids taken out in February when he had tubes put in his
    hears.  He snored before and now he snores even worse.  Before the
    surgery Josh would breath out of his mouth, since the surgery he
    still breaths out of his mouth.  The problem that Josh has is
    extremely large tonsils. (Which will be coming out when he gets 
    alittle bit older.
    
    If you are concerned check with the pedi. He may refer you to a
    ENT.
    
    Tina
    

    A quick antedote, then some suggestions.   We recently went camping
    with another family in thier "winebago"type camper, it was really
    amusing after the lights were out we all (the adults who were awake)
    heard this awful snoring, we discovered it was the littlest one, AJ
    (age 3-1/2)  so we rolled him on his side, it worked.  Then as the two
    men went to sleep the snoring started again, the AJ chimed in with
    them! It was to say the least a most "musical" night in the 24'X12'
    space with 3 children and 4 adults!
    
    On a serious note, .5 mentioned sleep apnea.  Let's rule that one out
    right away, sleep apnea is when you STOP breathing for a short period
    of time, therefore it would be silent.  When I worked in a hospital we
    used to take those who snored severely and put them on their side and
    prop a pillow behind the small of the back.  This generally was
    quieting and also people said the rested better.  Guess it could be the
    same principal as tying a knot in the neck of the PJ's.  I have tried
    this method with AJ, who has mild asthma, and it seems to work.  He
    also enjoys belly sleeping and seems quiet then too.
    
    Enjoy!
    Lyn
    

    
    Just a quick update since my last note.  Joshua just had his tonsils
    out, he was having to many problems with his tonsils getting infected
    and draining into that his glands that his ENT decided not to wait.
    
    Since last Wednesday night, the house has been quiet.  It's great!
    The kid doesn't make a sound.  I wasn't use to this and had to keep
    going into his bedroom to make sure everything was alright.
    
    Hopefully now Joshua can become a healthy little boy.  He hasn't had
    one ear infection since he had his Adenoids out and tubes put in 
    February and now maybe his glands and throat won't bother him anymore.
    I'm talking about a kid here who had Strep throat at 18months.
    
    Sorry to babble just hoping the kid doesn't have to go through anymore.
    
    Tina