Buteyko for children
Children who mouth breathe are more prone to enlarged adenoids/tonsils, glue ear, respiratory infections, asthma, allergies and chronic cough. This group of children are also more likely to suffer from night-time bed-wetting. If this habit of mouth breathing is not corrected, it can lead to crooked teeth, receding chin, protruding nose, narrow airway and a high risk of developing obstructive sleep apnoea, respiratory disorders and cardiovascular risk as adults.
These children often do not sleep well at night due to obstructed airways; this lack of sleep can adversely affect their growth and their performance at school.
The Buteyko Breathing Technique teaches children simple, easy-to-learn breathing exercises that are practised daily for 4-6 weeks. The programme is different to that taught to adults. It helps restore a natural breathing pattern and correct nasal breathing habits. Improvement usually occurs within the first week or so. By the end of the course, many children are breathing more efficiently and have shifted to nose breathing.