Specialist support for better nights

When should I seek help with my child’s sleep problems?

It may be time to seek extra support if:

• Your child’s sleep problems have lasted for weeks or months
• Sleep difficulties are affecting your child’s daytime behaviour, mood, or learning
• You’ve already tried routines or advice but nothing seems to be working
• Your child snores loudly, stops breathing during sleep, or seems very sleepy in the day
• Your child has autism, ADHD, epilepsy, or a chronic medical condition alongside sleep problems
• You’re feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or worried

You don’t have to wait until things feel “bad enough”. Early support can make a real difference.

What kinds of sleep problems do you assess?

We offer specialist paediatric sleep consultations for infants, children, and adolescents. We assess and manage a wide range of sleep difficulties, including:

• Behavioural insomnia and settling difficulties
• Children with autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental differences
• Snoring and sleep-disordered breathing
• Circadian rhythm disorders
• Parasomnias (such as night terrors and sleepwalking)
• Sleep difficulties associated with epilepsy or chronic illness

What happens during a private sleep consultation?

Your child will have a comprehensive sleep assessment, looking at sleep routines, behaviours, medical history, development, and any underlying health concerns. You’ll receive:

• Clear explanations about what may be affecting your child’s sleep
• A sleep management plan, written for your child
  Practical, parent-led behavioural strategies where appropriate
• Guidance tailored to your child’s age, needs, and family circumstances

Appointments allow adequate time, continuity of care, and clear follow-up, so you don’t feel rushed or left without support.

What investigations or sleep tests might my child need?

If needed, specialist investigations can be arranged to support diagnosis and treatment, including:

• EEG – for seizure and neurological assessment
• Actigraphy – a wearable device that records sleep–wake patterns over time
• Polysomnography – an overnight sleep study
• Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) – for suspected narcolepsy
• Overnight oximetry – to screen for obstructive sleep apnoea

These tests help build a clear picture of your child’s sleep patterns and guide a tailored management plan. Not every child will need tests – they are only recommended when clinically helpful.

Will we get a written sleep management plan after the appointment?

Yes. Families receive a personalised written sleep management plan with practical, realistic steps you can use at home. This may include routines, behavioural strategies, and any medical recommendations where needed.

Can you work with my child’s school or other professionals?

Yes. Where appropriate, we can liaise with schools, therapists, and NHS teams to ensure your child’s sleep plan fits with their wider care and daily life.

What are some common ways to help with sleep issues in children?

Many childhood sleep problems can be improved with simple, practical steps. Common approaches include:

• Creating a calm, consistent bedtime routine
• Reducing stimulation and screen time before bed
• Making the bedroom a quiet, dark, and comfortable sleep space
• Using relaxation strategies to help children wind down
• Keeping a sleep diary to spot patterns and triggers
• Using gentle behavioural strategies for settling and night waking
• Adapting routines for neurodivergent children or those with additional needs
• Seeking specialist advice if problems persist or are affecting daytime life

Most families start with these practical steps. However, we know it is not easy, and many parents who visit us have already tried all of these steps. You are not alone. Support is available if sleep difficulties don’t improve or feel more complex.

Do you prescribe melatonin for children?

Melatonin can be helpful for some children, particularly when sleep problems are linked to things like autism, ADHD, circadian rhythm difficulties, or long-standing insomnia. However, it isn’t a “quick fix” and it doesn’t work well on its own for most children.

Our approach is always holistic and individualised. We start by looking carefully at your child’s sleep routines, environment, daytime habits, emotional wellbeing, and any underlying medical or developmental factors that might be affecting sleep. For many families, making the right behavioural and routine-based changes can make a big difference without medication.

The goal is always to support healthy, long-term sleep habits, with or without medication, in a way that feels right for your child and your family.

Do you offer follow-ups and ongoing support?

Yes. Dr Kallappa works closely with a specialist sleep practitioner who provides structured follow-up after consultation, both face-to-face and virtually. This allows families to receive:

• Ongoing support with sleep routines
• Help implementing behavioural strategies
• Monitoring of progress
• Adjustments to the plan if needed

Who is Dr Kallappa, and what is her expertise in childhood sleep issues?

Dr Chetana Kallappa is a Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Sleep Specialist with over 25 years’ experience supporting children and families. She has a special interest in paediatric sleep medicine, neurology, and epilepsy, and works in both the NHS and private practice.

As well as being a UK-trained paediatrician, Dr Kallappa holds a postgraduate diploma in paediatric sleep medicine from the University of Western Australia (awarded with distinction). She has completed higher specialist training in paediatrics and undertakes ongoing professional development in paediatric sleep disorders, behavioural sleep interventions, and sleep in neurodevelopmental conditions.

Dr Kallappa currently works as an NHS Consultant Paediatrician with a specialist interest in Sleep Medicine at Midland Metropolitan University Hospitals, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust in Birmingham, helping ensure her private practice remains current, guideline-led, and clinically robust. She has previously worked in the Sleep department of the Children’s hospital of Philadelphia, United States and has set up and delivered a specialist sleep service for children in local NHS hospitals. During her career, Dr Kallappa has also authored/co-authored peer-reviewed publications related to paediatrics and sleep medicine, and engages with research and evidence-based practice.

Why should I choose Dr Kallappa for my child’s sleep problems?

Dr Kallappa offers an evidence-based, practical, and family-centred approach. She understands how closely sleep is linked to a child’s behaviour, learning, and emotional well-being. She manages both straightforward and complex sleep difficulties, including sleep problems associated with:

• ADHD and autism
• Epilepsy and neurological conditions
• Chronic medical conditions
• Behavioural insomnia and settling difficulties
• Night terrors, nightmares, and sleepwalking
• Circadian rhythm disorders
• Snoring and sleep-disordered breathing

Does Dr Kallappa have experience with sleep in complex or neurodiverse children?

Yes. Dr Kallappa has particular expertise in supporting children with neurodevelopmental and neurological conditions, including autism, ADHD, and epilepsy. She is experienced in adapting sleep plans to suit each child’s individual needs, strengths, and family circumstances.

Dr Kallappa works closely with a specialist sleep practitioner who can provide structured follow-up after consultation, both face-to-face and virtually. This allows families to receive practical support with sleep routines, behavioural strategies, and ongoing monitoring, alongside medical care when needed.