The Children's Wisconsin Sleep Center treats all sleep-related movement disorders that can disrupt a child's sleep.

Restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is the most common sleep-related movement disorder. It occurs when kids feel an unpleasant urge to move their legs. Symptoms often get worse at night, making it harder to fall asleep. RLS is often linked to low iron levels or a family history of RLS.

Periodic limb movement disorder

Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) occurs when a child’s legs or arms jerk or twitch over and over while sleeping. These movements often happen hundreds of times per night without the child knowing. PLMD sometimes overlaps with RLS but can occur on its own.

Sleep-related bruxism

Sleep-related bruxism refers to grinding or clenching teeth during sleep. It can cause jaw pain, headaches, sore teeth and wear to the teeth over time. While mild bruxism may not need treatment, severe cases can impact dental health.

Rhythmic movement disorder

Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder (RMD) most often occurs in infants and young kids. It involves body rocking, head banging or head rolling before or during sleep. Most kids outgrow RMD by early childhood.

Our Sleep Center experts will help find out if your child has a sleep disorder and suggest the best treatment option. Sometimes, they may only need lifestyle changes to sleep better. Other times, they may need special tests to find out how much their movements disturb their sleep.

Sleep study and tests

We offer special tests in our Sleep Center. A sleep study can provide insights into your child's health to help us make a diagnosis and create a tailored treatment plan.

Medicines

Some kids with RLS or PLMD have an iron deficiency. Iron supplements can sometimes help ease their symptoms. For kids with moderate to severe RLS or PLMD, their doctor may discuss other medicine options or therapies for nerve pain.

Behavioral and lifestyle therapies

Sometimes, behavioral therapy can help address what is causing a child’s sleep disorder, such as anxiety. Kids with RLS or PLMD may benefit from stretching their legs and arms before bedtime. Good sleep hygiene, such as consistent bedtimes, calm routines and no electronics before bed can help kids sleep better.

Dental care

Kids with bruxism sometimes need a mouthguard to protect their teeth and prevent damage from teeth grinding while they sleep. A mouthguard can also help ease jaw pain. Our Dental Center offers complete pediatric dental services, including care for kids with bruxism (teeth grinding).

The Children's Wisconsin Sleep Center helps kids and teens sleep better.

Wisconsin's only: Children's Wisconsin is the only sleep center in Southeastern Wisconsin focused on kids and teens.

Accredited center: Our sleep program has the American Academy of Sleep Medicine accreditation and is the only pediatric sleep center accredited in Wisconsin. That means our program meets its rigorous standards for treating sleep disorders in children and teens. We give kids high-quality care tailored to their needs.

Award-winning: U.S. News & World Report ranked pulmonary care at Children's Wisconsin among the best in the nation. Our CPAP Program and Sleep Center are part of our pulmonary care.

Wrap-around care: We care for kids with sleep problems at home, in the clinic and the hospital.