The Importance of Sleep
As all parents know from the first year of their child’s life, sleep deprivation is tough. But as hard as it is for us adults, it’s actually even worse for children. Children sleep longer and deeper than adults, and the proper amount of sleep is absolutely crucial for their overall (and future) wellbeing.
According to Rachel Dawkins MD, a doctor at Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital, kids who regularly get an adequate amount of sleep have improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, and overall mental and physical health.
How Much Sleep Should My Child Be Getting?
The ideal amount of sleep a child should be getting every 24 hours depends on their age.
Here are the American Academy of Paediatrics recommended sleep times for children 18 and under:
- Infants under 1 year: 12-16 hours
- Children 1-2 years old: 11-14 hours
- Children 3-5 years old: 10-13 hours
- Children 6-12 years old: 9-12 hours
- Teenagers 13-18 years old: 8-10 hours
The Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep
Growth
The hormone responsible for growth is released during sleep. If someone consistently gets too little sleep then the growth hormone is suppressed, meaning you will actually grow less. Studies show that sleep deprivation is also linked to other health issues such as obesity and diabetes.
Mind Power
All children need a good quantity and quality of sleep to boost and restore their growing brains. Mental ability, concentration and memory are all improved with a good night’s sleep. So make sure they’re getting their z’s and they’ll thank you for it in more ways than one!
Well Being
As parents we put so much time and effort into making sure our kids are entertained and stimulated throughout the day, it’s easy to forget that sleep plays as big a part as any (if not more) when it comes to how our kids feel. Sleeping well at night boosts mood, temperament and can even improves behaviour.
The Eco Kids mattress was specifically designed to help kids get the sleep they need to grow and thrive. The mattress provides the best in support and comfort while utilising environmentally friendly, natural materials so you can feel confident your child is having a healthy and restorative sleep.
