Question 1

Could my child still have a breathing problem at night if they fall asleep quickly and stay asleep all night?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is possible. Some children with sleep disordered breathing fall asleep very quickly because they are overtired, and they may appear to sleep through the night without obvious awakenings. The concern is not just how many hours they are in bed, but how restful those hours are. Brief pauses in breathing and frequent mini arousals may not be obvious to parents, but they can still affect mood, attention and learning. If your child snores most nights, especially outside obvious allergy flare ups, it is sensible to discuss it with your GP even if they seem to sleep for a long time.

Question 2

My child only snores when they sleep on their back in summer - is that enough to worry about?

Accepted Answer

Position related snoring is common, and for some children it is most noticeable when they lie flat on their back. If the snoring is mild, clearly linked to allergy days and not associated with breathing pauses or daytime problems, your GP may suggest simple steps such as improving allergy control and encouraging side sleeping. However, if back sleeping almost always triggers loud snoring, or if you notice pauses in breathing in that position, it can still be helpful to have an ENT assessment to check whether enlarged tonsils or adenoids are contributing to airway narrowing.

Question 3

Can long term mouth breathing change the way my child's face or teeth develop?

Accepted Answer

Long term mouth breathing in childhood can be associated with changes in facial growth and dental development. Children who constantly breathe through their mouth may develop a longer face, a narrow upper jaw or crowded teeth, although this does not occur in every case. If snoring, mouth breathing and nasal blockage are present for many months or years, it is reasonable to speak with your GP about an ENT review. In some situations, ENT specialists and dentists or orthodontists work together so that both airway health and dental alignment are considered.

Question 4

Is it possible that my child’s behaviour or school difficulties are linked to snoring, even if no one has mentioned sleep problems before?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this can happen. Some children with sleep disordered breathing do not complain of feeling tired and do not fall asleep in the daytime, but they may show irritability, emotional ups and downs, difficulty concentrating or hyperactive behaviour. Teachers may focus on attention or behaviour without realising that sleep could be part of the picture. If your child snores regularly and you have concerns about their learning or behaviour, it is worth mentioning sleep when you speak with your GP, teacher or psychologist so that the possibility of disturbed sleep is not overlooked.

Question 5

If my child has enlarged tonsils and adenoids, will they definitely need surgery at some point?

Accepted Answer

Not every child with large tonsils or adenoids needs surgery. Many children have moderate enlargement that does not cause significant symptoms and may improve with time as they grow. The decision to operate is based on the severity of snoring or sleep disordered breathing, the presence of recurrent infections and the overall impact on your child’s quality of life. At Melbourne ENT, surgeons such as Dr Stephen Kleid and Dr Simon Braham look at the whole picture, and may recommend ongoing monitoring rather than surgery if problems are mild.

Question 6

Can allergies and enlarged tonsils or adenoids be treated at the same time, or do they need to be dealt with separately?

Accepted Answer

They can often be managed together. Treating allergies with appropriate medications and environmental strategies can improve nasal breathing and reduce some of the strain on the airway. Once allergies are well controlled, it is easier to see how much of the remaining problem is due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids. An ENT specialist can help you understand how much each factor contributes and can coordinate a plan with your GP or paediatrician so that allergies and structural airway issues are addressed in a logical and efficient way.

Question 7

What if my child had their tonsils and adenoids removed but I still hear snoring during summer allergy flares?

Accepted Answer

Some children continue to snore occasionally after tonsil and adenoid surgery, especially when they have a cold or active allergies. In this situation the snoring may be mainly due to swelling of the nasal lining rather than continued obstruction from tonsils or adenoids. If your child is otherwise sleeping peacefully, waking refreshed and doing well at school, occasional snoring linked to illness or allergy is often not concerning. If loud snoring, breathing pauses or daytime difficulties return, it is important to let your GP or ENT specialist know so that your child can be reassessed and further options can be discussed if needed.

Tag: paediatric ENT Melbourne

When a Child’s Snoring in Summer Is Not Just Allergies