For most kids, snoring is not a serious problem. The health care provider asked you and your child questions and examined your child to find the cause of the snoring. A sleep study might be needed to check how your child breathes during sleep.

• Use any medicines prescribed by your health care provider as instructed.
• If your child has a stuffy nose from a cold, use a cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom to help moisten the air and ease breathing during sleep.
• If your health care provider says it's OK, have your child sleep on their side or with their head elevated (raised).
• If your child is overweight, weight loss may help improve sleep apnea. Follow your health care provider's advice about diet and exercise changes. 
• Your child should avoid tobacco smoke. Make your car and home smoke-free.
• Schedule any follow-up visits that your health care provider recommended.

Your child:

• continues to snore after following the health care provider's suggestions
• gasps or has pauses in breathing while asleep
• sleeps in unusual positions
• tosses and turns during sleep
• wets the bed
• is very sleepy during the day or has trouble paying attention in school
• has learning or behavioral problems

What is snoring? Snoring is the sound of the throat vibrating (moving back and forth very quickly) as air passes by. Snoring is more common during deep sleep, when muscles in the back of the throat relax, making the airway narrower and breathing noisier.

Why do some kids snore? Kids might snore if:

• They have a stuffy nose from colds, allergies, or tobacco smoke exposure.
• They have large tonsils or adenoids.
• They're overweight.
• They have medical problems that cause low muscle tone or a narrowed airway.
• Snoring runs in their family.