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Home > Child > Basics of sleep > When to consult?

When to consult for a sleep problem?
Popular science communication: Marie-Hélène Pennestri, PhD and Catherine Lord, PhD
  • Published on : February 12 2023

Many parents are concerned about their child’s sleep and want to know when to seek professional help.

Who needs to sleep?
My child? Me? Both?

There are “red flags” both day and night, in the child and in the parents that may be an indication that it is time to reach out for support in parenting through the “village” surrounding the child and the parents (see Resources tab).

Red Flags in children
  • During the day: sleepiness and signs of fatigue specific to children such as restlessness to fight fatigue.
  • At night: nighttime awakenings with difficulty falling asleep, difficulty falling asleep, etc.
  • Medical signs: respiratory or health problems.
Red flags in parents
  • Fatigued or exhausted parent who no longer recognizes himself or herself (tips for dealing with fatigue).
  • Parent who no longer finds joy in life or parenting.
  • Intra-family conflicts about sleep and fatigue management.

Assessment of sleep and sleep disorders

During the first year, the brain is developing extremely rapidly (yes, it’s that fast) and sleep professionals consider that the brain is not mature enough to receive a fixed diagnosis of sleep disorders.

From the age of 2, there are scientifically validated tools that help detect sleep disorders.

  • Develop at the Clinique d’évaluation diagnostique des troubles du sommeil de l’Hôpital Rivière-des-Prairies, the HIBOU scale evaluates sleep on a scale of 0 (never) to 3 (5 to 7 times a week) from 2 to 17 years of age (see source below for more details).
  • The sleep diary or sleep journal can also allow us to have a more objective look at our child’s sleep and our habits, day and night.

Being informed and having realistic expectations is also an important factor in allowing the whole family to adapt to the rhythm of toddlers. The Learning to Sleep Like Learning to Walk project has made it its mission to help you make decisions that are informed by science and in line with your family values.

  • Listen to the free replay of Évelyne Touchette’s conference (see Cpon on the development and evolution of sleep in 0-5 year olds for the CQJDC.
  • Consult the different sections to learn what science says about children’s sleep and don’t minimize the impact of your sleep deprivation, you are just as important as your child. Furthermore, taking care of yourself will help you take care of your child.

Listen to Dr. Marie-Hélène Pennestri talk about “red flags” to watch out for.

Watch “When to consult for a sleep problem?” to learn more.

Inspiration and scientific sources:
  • Anders TF. (2020) Organisation et développement du sommeil chez le jeune enfant. Dans: Tremblay RE, Boivin M, Peters RDeV, eds. Petit D, éd. thème. Encyclopédie sur le développement des jeunes enfants [en ligne]. https://www.enfant-encyclopedie.com/sommeil/selon-experts/organisation-et-developpement-du-sommeil-chez-le-jeune-enfant. Updated : December 2020.

  • Burdayron R, Kenny S, Dubois-Comtois K, Béliveau MJ, Pennestri MH. (2020) Infant sleep consolidation: A preliminary investigation of parental expectations. Acta Paediatr. 109(6):1276-1277. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.15151

  • Burdayron R, Butler BP, Béliveau MJ, Dubois-Comtois K, Pennestri MH. (2021) Perception of infant sleep problems: the role of negative affectivity and maternal depression. J Clin Sleep Med. 1;17(6):1279-1285. https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.9188

  • Godbout, R., Huynh, C. et Martello, E. (2010). Le sommeil et les adolescents, Revue québécoise de psychologie, 31(2), 133-148.

    • Downloadable Questionnaire : https://cdn.ciusssnordmtl.ca/Fichiers/08Soins_Services/Services_specialises/Sommeil/Echelle_Sommeil_pediatrique.pdf?1579114697

     

    • Article from the “ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ)” about the HIBOU scale use and interpretations : https://www.oiiq.org/sites/default/files/uploads/pdf/publications/perspective_infirmieres/2011_vol08_no6/12HIBOU.pdf

     

    • Original article of the BEARS scale: Owens, J.A. et V. Dalzell.  (2005) Use of the “BEARS” sleep screening tool in a pediatric residents’ continuity clinic: a pilot study », Sleep Medicine, 6 (1), 63-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2004.07.015 
  • Immerscience & Naitre et Grandir (2022) Le sommeil: aider son enfant à s’endormir.

  • Lord, C & Bouchard, M (2019) Why Sleep Text written by several specialists for the Canadian sleep campagne “Sleep on it.”

  • McQuillan ME, Bates JE, Staples AD, Deater-Deckard K. (2019) Maternal stress, sleep, and parenting. J Fam Psychol. 33(3), 349-359. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6582939/

  • Pennestri, M-H, Ibrir, K, Kenny, S, Petit, D (2022) The sleep of your baby . Written by several experts for the «Sleep on it» Canadian public health campaign on sleep.

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“Learning to sleep like learning to walk” is an online resource that offers reliable information validated by scientists and specialists in sleep, health and child development.

Warning. “Learning to sleep like learning to walk” is not medical assistance and cannot replace the advice of a legally authorized health specialist. Only health specialists are qualified to provide medical advice, regardless of your or your child’s condition after a thorough examination and with personalized care.

Thanks to our funding partners Fonds de recherche du Québec (DIALOGUE 2020-2021) and CQJDC.

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