My child snores badly, or seems to stop breathing while asleep.

Nightly snoring, appearing to stop breathing, extreme sleeping positions (arching back, sleeping sitting up), strong daytime sleepiness or irritability, these may be signs of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Children with Down syndrome are at higher risk due to their physical structure, and the AAP recommends a sleep study by age 4 even without symptoms. Don't just wait and watch; consult a pediatrician or ENT.