Toddlers
Sleep Routines

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine says that school-age children should get at least 9 hours of sleep a night. 

Children who slept less than nine hours were more likely to have behavior problems, do poorly in school, and be overweight or obese.

The Academy says that ideally, pre-school children should get 11-13 hours of sleep a night, and school-aged children should get 10-11 hours a night.

Here are the Academy's tips to help your child sleep better:

• Follow a consistent bedtime routine. Set aside 10 to 30 minutes to get your child ready to go to sleep each night.
• Establish a relaxing setting at bedtime.
• Interact with your child at bedtime. Don't let the TV, computer or video games take your place.
• Keep your children from TV programs, movies and video games that are not right for their age.
• At bedtime, do not allow your child to have foods or drinks that contain caffeine. This includes chocolate and sodas. Try not to give him or her any medicine that has a stimulant at bedtime. This includes cough medicines and decongestants.
• Don't send your child to bed hungry, but don't eat a big meal right before bedtime.
• Your child's bedroom should be quiet, as dark as she will allow, and a little cool.

RECENT ARTICLES