Tip of the Week: Bedtime

Individuals diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome struggle with getting a good night’s sleep. Here are some ways to help your child get the best sleep that they can:

• Pick a bedtime and stick to it. Regardless of vacations, holidays, or events, try to keep the same bedtime regardless. Allowing for special occasions will typically backfire and cause more anxiety than staying with the same time every night.

• Remove electronics an hour before bedtime. The obsessive nature of people with PWS makes it very difficult for them to put something down mid-game or mid-level, causing them to try to extend bedtime longer and longer.

• Stop fluids at least two hours prior to bedtime. People with PWS have a delayed bladder signal which makes it difficult for them to get to the bathroom in time. This is especially true at night. It is not uncommon for them to get the signal that they need to urinate too late during sleep, causing them to wet the bed.

• Plan calming activities prior to bed and make this a constant routine. Whatever activity is most calming to your child should be part of the bedtime routine every night.

Getting the best sleep that they can will allow for the most success during waking hours.

Patrice Carroll is Latham Centers’ world-renowned Prader-Willi Syndrome specialist. She works with Latham Centers’ residents with PWS, their families and consultants, continuously learning and teaching about PWS best practices.