Sleep plays an important part in all of our lives. It is essential for health and wellbeing, memory, attention, concentration and learning, energy and mood. 

For many adults with CP, difficulty with sleeping is a common problem. Reasons for this may include:

• pain or discomfort
• reflux or heartburn
• medication side effects
• breathing problems or sleep apnoea (when breathing frequently stops and starts during sleep)
• being unable to change position
• seizures
• breathing in saliva (saliva aspiration).

Older adults with CP can find they have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Not getting enough sleep can increase the risk of falls, lead to problems with concentration and memory, and reduce quality of life.

If you are concerned about your sleep health, talk to your healthcare team. They can refer you to a sleep specialist, who will help you to identify sleep cues and give you advice about the best treatment and tools to support better sleep.

Some things that may help to improve your sleep include:

• medication where suitable (for example, melatonin or sedatives)
• adjusting noise levels, lighting and temperature in the bedroom
• having a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables
• making sure you get enough sunlight
• exercising during the day and not late at night
• products to support your sleeping position.

Using foam inserts or other products to support you as you sleep can help to relieve pain, lower the risk of postural deformity, and reduce muscle and joint contractures. They can also provide a safe sleep position if you have breathing difficulties or are at risk of saliva aspiration.