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Recent Family News

Study finds kids aren't sleeping as much as they should

If you think your children aren't getting enough sleep, a new study finds that you're probably right.

Researchers from the University of South Australia have found that kids have been sleep-deprived for the past century.

Scientists looked at child sleep recommendations between the years of 1897 and 2009, and compared data on actual sleep time during the same period. They found that, in general, kids in all time periods slept 37 minutes less than recommended.

"Throughout the 100-year period, we have been blaming whatever the new technology is - radio, TV, the Internet. Information is coming in so fast that we never wind down," said the study's senior author, Tim Olds.

Experts say that the amount of sleep needed depends on a child's age. According to the National Sleep Foundation, toddlers need about 12 to 14 hours of sleep a day, preschoolers need 11 to 13 hours a day, school-aged kids need 10 to 11 hours a day and teenagers need 8.5 to 9.25 hours a day.

"Poor or inadequate sleep can lead to mood swings, behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and cognitive problems that impact on their ability to learn in school," according to the National Sleep Foundation.

Among the tips experts offer to improve your child's sleeping habits are keeping a regular routine, eliminating computers and televisions from the bedroom and making the room conducive to sleep.

While used baby cribs are not recommended because of safety concerns, parents can save money on a toddler or child's bed by shopping at a store that sells used baby furniture and children's furniture.
 

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