Healthy Kids: Is your child getting enough sleep?

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Healthy Kids

FORT MYERS, Fla.-  Between school and extracurricular activities, a number of parents struggle to make sure their kids are getting enough sleep. Now the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics are supporting new sleep guidelines for kids. Dr. Annette St. Pierre-Mackoul stopped by the studio to tell us more about those new recommendations.

Children and Sleep Recommendations:
  • Infants 4 months to 12 months: 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours, including naps
  • Children 1 to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours per 24 hours, including naps
  • Children 3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours, including naps
  • Children 6 to 12 years: 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours
  • Teens 13 to 18 years: 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours
Start Good Sleep Habits Early:
  • Feed infants until sleepy
  • Firm bedding and ‘Back to Sleep’
  • Allow your child to ‘self soothe’
  • Your baby has to learn to sleep
  • Patterns are usually set by 6 months old
  • No sleeping with a bottle
  • Avoid co-sleeping except with approved apparatuses

Sleep Hygiene:

  • No electronics in the bedroom
  • All screen time stops 30 minutes before bed
  • Make a bedtime
  • Comfortable room – lighting and furniture

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