Study: Toddler Snoring Linked to Behavioral Problems

A little kid snoring away is adorable, but it might also be cause for concern. A new study has linked loud, regular snoring with hyperactivity, depression and attention problems. The study, published in the September issue of Pediatrics, polled mothers about their child’s sleep habits, and found that kids aged 2 or 3 who snored loudly at least twice a week persistently (not just because of a cold) had more behavioral problems than their non-snoring peers. The study’s authors say regular snoring is not normal and indicates a sleep problem that could have a negative effect on daytime behavior. 

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The children most likely to snore were those from families of lower socioeconomic status, researchers from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where the study was done, told CNN. They also said little or no breastfeeding is a risk factor for snoring, giving new moms yet another reason to work at nursing.

The good news is that there are treatments for snoring, so tell your pediatrician if you catch your kid “sawing wood” regularly.