Parents have been advised to keep an eye on children if they snore while sleeping in their travel cots.

According to Dr Danna Tauba, snoring could be a sign that the child suffers from sleep apnoea, which can be a serious condition if it is not monitored or treated.

Speaking to the Breezy Mama parenting website, the medical director at the sleep centre at St Christopher's Hospital for Children said the condition could be caused by large tonsils or big adenoids.

Dr Tauba explained that the illness can have knock-on effects when the child is awake, including tiredness and irritability due to fragmented sleep.

She remarked: "In most cases, snoring is okay. But, if your child snores and you witness him stop breathing, gasp for breath, choke or have laboured breathing, then your child should see his doctor."

Last month, child and family psychotherapist Dr John Sharry told the Irish Times that letting children nap in the day - perhaps in a travel cot - can avoid problems with tiredness.

Posted by Eileen KirkADNFCR-3005-ID-19786258-ADNFCR