The Mental, Breathing and Sleep Health of the Child: The Role of the Buteyko Method

In children and teenagers, nasal breathing, mouth breathing, sleep, oral function, respiratory health and emotional regulation are closely connected.

This presentation explores the theory behind these relationships and the role of breathing retraining in supporting children and teenagers.

Patrick McKeown will examine the importance of habitual nasal breathing and the factors that can interfere with it, including rhinitis, enlarged adenoids and other causes of nasal obstruction. Attention will also be given to why mouth breathing may persist even when the nose is sufficiently clear, and how obstruction and habit can coexist.

The physiological principles underlying the Buteyko Method will be introduced, including breathing volume, respiratory chemistry, nasal function and the relationship between breathing patterns and physiological arousal. A simple nose decongesting exercise will be demonstrated to illustrate how changing the way we breathe can influence nasal congestion.

Case studies involving children and teenagers with rhinitis, asthma and anxiety will show how these issues present in practice. Particular attention will be given to the teenage years, when stress, repetitive thinking and sleep difficulties can become increasingly relevant.

The aim is to show how airway function, breathing behaviour, oral health, sleep and emotional wellbeing can interact, and where the Buteyko Method can complement appropriate medical, dental, orthodontic and myofunctional care.