Snoring is the sound that happens during sleep when a person’s airflow is partially blocked, causing throat tissues to vibrate (move back and forth). Occasional, quiet snoring is common and usually harmless — many kids snore now and then, especially when they have a cold, allergies, or are sleeping on their back. However, frequent or loud snoring can be a sign of other problems.

To see what is causing your child's snoring and to find the right treatment, follow your healthcare provider's instructions for home care and follow-up.

Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations for:

• Tracking your child's sleep and snoring:
  • Keep a sleep diary for 1–2 weeks. Note how often your child snores, how loud it is, what position they sleep in, any medicines they are taking, any pauses in breathing, and any gasping or choking sounds.
  • If possible, record the sounds of your child's sleep using a phone or tablet so your healthcare provider can hear what is happening.
  • Track your child's energy, mood, and focus during the day. Poor sleep can show up as irritability, trouble concentrating, falling grades, or hyperactivity — not just sleepiness.
• Whether your child should go for a sleep study (an overnight test that checks breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, brain activity, and muscle movements during sleep)
• Making an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist
• When to return to review the sleep diary information

To help your child snore less:

• If your child snores mainly when sleeping on their back, encourage side sleeping. Try placing a body pillow or rolled towel behind their back to keep them on their side and discourage them from rolling onto their back.
• Try raising the head of the mattress slightly by placing something under the head of the bed frame. Never put a pillow in a crib with a baby.
• If your child has allergies, follow your healthcare provider's recommendations for treatment. Using a saline nasal spray (available at the pharmacy without a prescription) before bedtime can help clear mucus.
• If your child is congested, run a cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom. Clean it regularly to prevent mold and bacteria buildup.
• Help your child maintain a healthy weight. In teens especially, extra weight around the neck can contribute to snoring and sleep apnea. Encourage balanced meals and regular physical activity.
• Make your home and car smoke- and vapor-free. For help quitting, call 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) or visit smokefree.gov.

Your child:

• Gasps or has pauses in breathing while asleep
• Is very sleepy during the day or has trouble paying attention in school
• Is having trouble keeping a healthy weight or needs help losing weight
• Starts to wet the bed

Why do some children snore? Kids might snore if:

• They have a stuffy nose from colds, allergies, or tobacco smoke exposure.
• They have large tonsils or adenoids (tissues in the back of the throat).
• They're overweight.
• They have medical problems that cause low muscle tone or a narrowed airway.
• Snoring runs in their family.
• They have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.

What is the treatment for snoring? Treatment depends on the cause but may include treating allergies or nasal congestion with antihistamines or nasal sprays, avoiding cigarette smoke and vapor, surgery to remove enlarged tonsils and adenoids, or CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), a machine that keeps airways open during sleep for people with obstructive sleep apnea. For teens who are overweight, losing weight through healthy eating and physical activity can reduce snoring.

Can snoring affect my child's school performance and behavior? Yes. Poor sleep quality from snoring or obstructive sleep apnea can lead to trouble concentrating, memory problems, lower grades, and behavioral issues. Treating the problem that's causing snoring can help improve your child's school performance and behavior.