Long pauses between breaths 7 month old sleep

[seri0usly]

My 7 month old is a really poor sleeper.. He's in my arms now asleep but I'm noticing long pauses between some breaths. Should I be worried? Should his breathing not be consistent at this age? How would I know if he had sleep apnea??

Hope somebody can help

[Cocoabutton]

I think as ever ask your GP if concerned. Both my DC did that. I used to poke them gently if I was waiting too long for the next breath. I also had the Angelcare movement monitor as it worried me. No idea what caused it though.

[flumpybear]

I recall the same - check with health visitor or GP if you're worried

[Girliefriendlikesflowers]

Sleep apnea is normally associated with snoring and being generally very snuffly, with my dd it was also associated with ear and chest infections.

[seri0usly]

Cocoabutton - I have been forced to poke! I should use the angelcare

[seri0usly]

Girlie friend - thanks, he doesn't have any of those signs so hopefully he's fine

[mawbroon]

I noticed this with ds1 when he was asleep in my arms as a baby. He was a dreadful sleeper and had bouts of apnoea on and off as he grew. I don't think he stopped breathing frequently enough to get a diagnosis, but it was still happening regularly and disturbing his sleep.

When he was 6 yo, I discovered this was caused by his undiagnosed posterior tongue tie and very high palate. All sorted now and he sleeps peacefully.

Could it be this?

[seri0usly]

How did you get it sorted? And how did you go about getting a diagnosis?

[mawbroon]

We never got a diagnosis. I was fobbed off all over the place. Lots of different specialists for all the different problems he was having but no joined up thinking.

It was a dentist who sorted it in the end. Tongue tie revision, orthotropics which expanded his palate and opened up his airways and osteopathy from head to toe.

He is now free of every single one of the many problems he was having, but it is because I would not let it drop and found people who could help. Unfortunately it seems to be the way with many medical issues

[mawbroon]

All private btw. NHS docs and dentists looked at me like I had two heads when explained why he was having problems

[seri0usly]

Really interesting. Thank you. And well done you...what a great mum x

[mawbroon]

Thanks. I only wish I had discovered it sooner. Poor ds1 suffered and the years of sleep deprivation made me ill.

Hope you get it resolved x

[Nowthereistwo]

Take a video of him sleeping (and stopping breathing) and see you gp.

My dd is scheduled to have her adenoids and tonsils out due to sleep apnea. I wish we'd know sooner.

[SirKillalot]

Best thing to do is video him sleeping and show the GP.