Managing Kids' Sleep Apnea: Snot Reduction

My kids have mild sleep apnea and have some nights where they sleep peacefully and deeply and some where they’re restless, snoring, and cranky the next day. One way I’ve been able to manage their bad nights is by staying on top of their snot production.

If my kids have snot, they’re going to snore. If they snore, they may have episodes of not breathing in the night which leads to them getting poor quality sleep and more behavior and mood issues.

Getting all the snot out

My kids are terrible at blowing their noses. They cannot for the life of them figure out the mechanics of getting all the snot out and not back in. I’ve used various snot suckers over the years and they hate all of them, but they are effective. Using a saline spray before sucking out the snot helps thin it and get it out easier and more effectively, reducing the screams.

Keeping their systems clear

Decongestants are not usually recommended for little kids, especially if they have colds. My understanding is that they tend to dry you out and make it harder for you to get better on your own. However, some natural products using a combination of honey and other ingredients can help mitigate a mucus-filled bedtime.

When my kids are coughing, we use honey and it helps, so, even though that’s not technically snot reduction, keeping the system as clear as possible always helps.

Allergy considerations

However, my daughter has some seasonal allergies and, if she’s not feeling well and we can determine it’s because of allergies, her doctor says she’s old enough for an appropriate dose of over-the-counter allergy medication.

Humidifiers for the win

One of the best and easiest tools to help my kids’ sleep apnea is a humidifier. I think they’re a pain to keep clean and we’ve certainly had some spills, but on a night when my kids aren’t feeling their best, it can be the difference between a wakeful night and a restful one. My kids are less likely to snore if the humidifier is going and their snot isn’t so backed up in the morning.

Chewable melatonin and restful sleep

The other over-the-counter treatment our doctor says is okay is chewable melatonin. Sometimes my kids have a bad night with a cold or just their general sleep apnea issues because they are overtired and can't fall asleep. A melatonin gummy helps them drift off faster, leading to an overall more restful night’s sleep.

Helping my kids sleep well

Having a good, conversational relationship with their doctor helped me get tools that reduced nighttime stuffiness and increased good quality sleep.

We always feel bad for little kids when they’re not feeling well and want them to sleep through the night. For my kids, sleeping well even when they’re not feeling well is a vital part of managing their success in the daytime and their overall health.