Sleep Tracker: How to Use It and Why It Matters
- Ashley
- Oct 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 10
Why We Created the Sleep Tracker
Sleep can make or break a day — especially for families navigating epilepsy, autism, or other additional needs. When Penelope’s seizures and fatigue worsened, we realised that sleep wasn’t just part of her routine — it was part of the pattern.
We were jotting down times, guessing at totals, and trying to explain to doctors how many times she’d woken up. It was impossible to keep consistent. That’s why we built the Sleep Tracker — to make recording and understanding sleep as simple and accurate as possible.
This tracker isn’t just for logging hours — it’s a window into how rest, recovery, and regulation all connect.
How to Use the Sleep Tracker
Step 1: Start the Sleep Timer
When your child (or adult) goes to sleep, simply tap “Start Sleep”.The timer runs automatically throughout the night.
If you forget to start it, don’t worry — you can add or adjust the time retrospectively. This flexibility ensures you can still record accurate data even after a busy night.
Step 2: Record Disturbances During the Night
If your child wakes up or experiences a disruption:
Tap “Disturbance” to start a second timer.
When they settle back to sleep, tap again to stop.
Save the length of the disturbance and choose a reason tag, such as:
Seizure
Night terror
Spasm
Custom (create your own reason)
This allows you to record multiple disturbances in one night — building a complete picture of sleep quality.
Step 3: Track Total Sleep and Awake Time
The tracker automatically calculates:
Total hours slept
Total time awake due to disturbances
Over time, you’ll see patterns in sleep quantity and quality — vital insights for families and clinicians alike.
Step 4: Add Notes and Sleep Quality
After saving, you can add notes — for example:
How bedtime went
If medication was taken
If the day was stressful, exciting, or tiring
Then, select the sleep quality rating you feel best describes the night:
Good
Okay
Poor
This helps you capture not just the data, but the context behind it — something often lost in clinical charts.
Step 5: View and Edit Sleep History
All entries are automatically saved in the Sleep History section. You can view:
Total sleep hours
Sleep quality rating
Disturbance reasons
Awake durations
Notes for each night
Need to fix a time or add a missed note? You can easily edit any entry.
What You’ll See in Premium Analytics
For Premium users, the Sleep Tracker becomes even more powerful with:
Charts showing sleep patterns over time
Correlations between sleep and:
Seizures
Moods
Meltdowns
Fatigue levels
AI summaries that highlight possible triggers, trends, and recommendations for better rest
It turns raw data into actionable insights — helping families and professionals understand how sleep impacts wellbeing.
Why Sleep Tracking Matters
Sleep plays a critical role in managing epilepsy, mood, and regulation. Poor sleep can increase seizure likelihood, lead to meltdowns, or reduce focus and energy.
By consistently recording sleep data, parents and clinicians can:
Spot trends (e.g. seizures after poor sleep)
Adjust bedtime routines or medication timing
Provide clear, evidence-based information during appointments
It’s one of the simplest ways to give your child the best chance for stability, energy, and calm.
💜 Together, We Track. We Understand. We Advocate.
The Sleep Tracker is more than a bedtime tool — it’s a piece of your child’s health story. When paired with other My Penelope trackers, it helps reveal the bigger picture — how rest affects behaviour, seizures, and emotions.
Every log brings you closer to understanding your child’s needs — and that’s the first step to advocating for them confidently.
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