sleep CC“The AAP recently endorsed the consensus statement on the recommended amount of sleep for pediatric populations in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. The consensus recommends that children between 1 and 2 years of age should sleep 11 to 14 hours per 24 hour period (including naps) on a regular basis to promote optimal health. Sleeping the recommended number of hours on a regular basis is associated with better health outcomes including: improved attention, behavior, memory, learning, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health.”

So what does this means?  Get your kids sleeping…don’t keep them up on your schedule.  Yes, it would be nice for the parent working late to get to ‘play’ with their kid when they get home at 8 pm.  However, it is generally a stressful event and not fun.  Think about when you want to sleep and someone is keeping you awake.  It is not fun.

Most children under 8 years have their natural sleep hormone rise around 6 to 8 pm.  That means they should not be playing baseball at 8 pm.  Get those tuckered out kids into their beds and all around they will be more emotionally stable!