It’s a well known fact that babies need sleep, but how much? A couple of recent studies have found a correlation that infants who receive less sleep are more likely to have problems with obesity as well as other health problems. In one study, they found that “Among the long sleepers (more than 12 hours), 7 percent were obese at age 3. The short sleepers (less than 12 hours) fared worse. Twelve percent of them became obese 3-year-olds. Adding TV to the picture, 17 percent of those who slept less than 12 hours a day and watched two or more hours of television a day were obese by the time they were 3.”

In another study, they state that inadequate sleep is an “invisible phenomenon that fails to receive attention from primary care providers until it interferes with the child’s behavior, mood, or performance”. Their poll also found that:

• Infants (0-11 months) average 12.7 hours of sleep — experts recommend 14–15 hours
• Toddlers (1-3 yrs) average 11.7 hours —
experts recommend 12–14 hours
• Preschoolers (3-5 yrs) average 10.4 hours —
experts recommend 11–13 hours
• School-agers (1st through 5th grades) average 9.5 hours — experts recommend 10 – 11 hours
• Adolescents and teens average 7.9 hours —
experts recommend 8.5 – 9.25 hours

Having a daily routine of eating and sleeping only helps a child get the amount of sleep they need. It also helps mom know exactly how much sleep their child is getting. The first study also pointed out the recommendation that children shouldn’t watch more than 2 hours of tv a day. It sounds like more parents need to turn the tv off, and put their kids to bed!

Currently Savannah gets 12 hours of sleep just at night, then add her 1-1 1/2 hour morning nap and her 2 hour afternoon nap, I guess we are doing good. She doesn’t really watch tv, but if and when she does, you better believe it won’t be for more than 2 hours a day!