Children’s Sleep Study: Tips for Your Child’s Sleep Study Success

My 4-year-old daughter recently completed a sleep study to check for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Going into it, I was really worried about how she would react to the experience. Even as an adult, the thought of having 25+ sensors stuck to my body sounds unpleasant. Overall, our sleep study was a success. A few aspects were easier than I envisioned, and a few were just as difficult as I anticipated. I’ll share a little bit about our experience and some of the things that worked for us.

The Set-Up

The sleep lab that we went through has their overnight lab and sleeping rooms at a hotel. It had all the comforts of a typical hotel room, the only difference being the addition of the equipment. Check-in time was 8:45 p.m – well past my daughter’s normal bedtime. Once situated in our room, our technician left to let us change, brush teeth and relax for a bit.

Then our technician came back to start placing the sensors. This process took quite a while; we were warned it can take up to an hour. I was able to sit with my daughter in my lap the entire time, which helped her to feel more at ease.

After she was finally “hooked up,” the technician went to the adjoining lab to ensure that everything was working correctly. Using a camera in the ceiling above the bed and a two-way speaker, she ran my daughter through some tests to check the sensors. She was asked to complete simple tasks while lying in the bed, such as blink, cough, kick her legs, etc. Once it was confirmed that everything was working correctly, we were able to take one last trip to the potty, and then it was off to dreamland.

Lights Out

By this time, it was right around 10:00 p.m. and my daughter was absolutely exhausted. We read one of her shorter books, and then she was ready to snooze. Because she was so tired, she had no problem falling asleep. She was snoring literally seconds after her head hit the pillow.

There was one instance during the night when one of her wires came loose. The technician came in, turned on a bright light, got the sensor re-attached, and then left.

In the morning, we had to be out of our room by 6:30 a.m., so the technician woke us at 5:30. Once all the sensors were removed, we were able to shower before heading out. The hotel offered a full complimentary breakfast buffet, so we ate a little meal before heading home.

Tips for Success

Be Transparent.

My daughter tends to do better in new situations when she knows what to expect. My husband and I started talking to her about the study a couple of weeks beforehand. We let her pick which parent she wanted to stay with her, explained that a doctor would be putting “stickers” on her body, and ensured her that it wouldn’t hurt. We don’t let our kids sleep in our bed with us at home, so sleeping in a big bed with mommy was a huge selling point for her.

Bribe Them.

I’m not ashamed to admit it: Sometimes bribes are the answer! We promised my daughter a special treat after the study (a doughnut). Our expectation from her was that she would do her best to remain calm and allow the doctor to do what they needed to.

Pack Comforts From Home.

We brought stuffed animals, cozy jammies, good books, and everything else you would typically need for a hotel stay. Aside from all the sensors and the unfamiliar bed, her bedtime routine was very reminiscent of a night at home. My biggest piece of advice for the accompanying parent would be to pack modest, comfortable pajamas. You’re going to be on camera all night long, so you don’t want any wardrobe malfunctions.

Plan for The Day After.

Our sleep study was scheduled for a Sunday night, so my husband planned in advance to take Monday off work. I’m so glad he did – his presence allowed for my daughter and I to get some much needed rest after we arrived home, while he cared for our younger son.

If you have a sleep study looming for your child, try not to stress too much. A little planning and preparation can go a long way!