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My Son's Constant Movement During Sleep

by Christina Schye
(Billings, MT)

My 3 year old son with Down syndrome started having sleep problems a year ago. Two sleep studies later, we are no closer to an answer.


He goes to sleep at night fine, and sleeps soundly for about the first 3 hours. From then on he has constant movement, sometimes just an arm flailing back and forth, sometimes rocking his whole body back and forth, and sometimes rolling all over. He will sit up and flop forward too.

He is not awake during all this, but not really sound asleep either. If you pick him up he's wide awake. He was diagnosed with sleep hypopnea in December and put on singulair and flonase, which have helped his nasal congestion but not his sleep quality. He wakes up in the morning tired and crabby, until his nap which he sleeps fine for, then is happy the rest of the day.

I'm at my wits end. Any suggestions or opinions of what could be wrong?

Comments for My Son's Constant Movement During Sleep

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Dec 11, 2013
 same here! NEW
by: Anonymous

My son is now 13 and also has DS he started out the same as your child but around the age of six he pretty much stopped sleeping, I would put him to bed at 8 and by 230-3 he is wide awake,he had one sleep test that showed his lack of REM sleep and he was placed on a sleep aide but now he wakes up and falls asleep again wherever he happens to be(toilet/bus/watching tv) the sleep[ aide are NOT working in keeping him asleep, If you have nay answers or suggestions that would be helpful
May 30, 2014
 Daughter giggling heavey breathing rocking at night NEW
by: Pals

Daughter 16 yrs. started rocking ,giggling at night , i can talk to her she said shes fine .she has sleep apnea but wont wear o2 or cpap. She is tired but wont sleep she wont nap . It keeps me awake .this has been going on now for 5 months .we have seen many drs. But they have no answers .they tested for sciezures
Please help us,
Jun 02, 2014
 *update* NEW
by: Christina

I'm sorry to see others have the same problems! In several of the facebook groups I'm in I hear very similar experiences. I thought I'd share some of the things suggested, and some things I've tried. Melatonin may help the May 30th commenter. I've tried, and still use, essential oils. There's blends called peace and calm, balance blend, etc, the more reputable EO companies, such as Young Living and DoTerra. You rub these oils on their feet, mainly toes, and can diffuse it into the air via a diffuser. Our doctor has prescribed iron supplements, they say our kids with sleep disturbances ferritin levels should be around 75-100. Iron usually causes constipation, but in my son it causes large amounts of loose stool, so be careful! That's all I have to add for now. Good luck!!
Jun 02, 2014
 *update* NEW
by: Christina

I'm sorry to see others have the same problems! In several of the facebook groups I'm in I hear very similar experiences. I thought I'd share some of the things suggested, and some things I've tried. Melatonin may help the May 30th commenter. I've tried, and still use, essential oils. There's blends called peace and calm, balance blend, etc, the more reputable EO companies, such as Young Living and DoTerra. You rub these oils on their feet, mainly toes, and can diffuse it into the air via a diffuser. Our doctor has prescribed iron supplements, they say our kids with sleep disturbances ferritin levels should be around 75-100. Iron usually causes constipation, but in my son it causes large amounts of loose stool, so be careful! That's all I have to add for now. Good luck!!
Jan 10, 2017
 ferritin levels NEW
by: Anonymous

That's interesting that someone mentioned low ferritin levels, my 12 old son has recently had his iron levels checked out and he is low on ferritin and he also flip flops throughout the night, he's like a fish out of water. I just put him on a supplement per Dr.s request, I hope this is all it is and things will start to be more peaceful at night for him.

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