TABLE 1.
Classification Scheme for Sleep Protodysomnias in Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
| Age | Perturbation (1 episode per week for at least 1 month) | Disturbance (2–4 episodes per week for at least 1 month) | Disorder (5–7 episodes per week for at least 1 month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep onset protodysomina (meets 2 of 3 criteria) | |||
| 12–23 months of age | > 30 min to fall asleep; parent remains in room for sleep onset;more than two reunions.a | ||
| ≥ 24 months of age | > 20 min to fall asleep; parent remains in room for sleep onset; more than one reunion.a | ||
| Night waking protodysomnia | |||
| 12–23 months of age | ≥ 2 awakeningsb per night, totaling ≥ 20 minc | ||
| ≥ 24 months of age | ≥ 1 awakeningb per night, totaling ≥ 20 minc | ||
Note. A protodysomnia is not diagnosed before 1 year of age. The criteria pertain to solitary sleeping infants. Episode criteria are subdivided. Perturbations are considered variations within normal development; disturbances are considered as possible risk conditions that may be self-limiting; disorders most likely are continuous and require intervention.
a
Reunions reflect resistances in going to bed (e.g., repeated bids, protests, struggles).
b
Awakenings require parental intervention and occur after the child has been asleep for more than 10 min.
c
≥20 min criterion is applied to the whole night regardless of the number of awakenings.