Vim & Vigor - Spring 2018 - Parrish Medical Center - 56

Sleep Well,
My Child
A good night's rest is vital to growth
and development BY KRISTINA WEAVER

As a mom and a sleep medicine professional, I know
how important it is for children to get good sleep. My kids, ages
2 and 6, are in bed no later than
7:45 p.m., no exceptions. Research
shows that putting kids to bed early is
beneficial for their physical, emotional
and cognitive development.
Sleeping is critically important to the
development of brain functions, such

as learning new information and storing long-term memories. A child's sleep
should be quiet and uninterrupted, to
allow for the release of the hormone
needed for tissue and muscle growth.
On the other hand, insufficient sleep
can lead to irritability, lack of focus,
and learning and behavioral problems.
Children produce adrenaline when they
are tired; they get hyperactive. A tired
child can mimic the same symptoms as

Kristina Weaver,
Manager of Parrish
Sleep Disorders
Center

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Sleep-deprived children are three times
more likely to get sick and also more
likely to become obese.
The National Sleep Foundation's guidelines on how long children should sleep
are clear: 10 to 13 hours per day for preschoolers; nine to 11 hours for kids ages
6 to 13; and eight to 10 hours for teens.
Make sure your child's room encourages
sleep. It should be dark, cool and quiet.
If you have a night light, try to position it
out of direct sight. The tiniest amount of
light can disturb sleep. ■
CALL

Get Expert Help
For more information about
your child's sleep, call the Parrish
Sleep Disorders Center at
321-268-6408.

DOES YOUR CHILD NEED A SLEEP STUDY?

SP RIN G 2 0 1 8

3 Does your child sweat a lot during sleep?
3 Is your child excessively sleepy during the day?
3 Does your child wet the bed, especially if he or she stayed
dry before?

3 Does your child have any developmental delays or craniofacial

abnormalities, such as from Down syndrome or cerebral palsy?

3 Are there defects in the structures of the mouth, jaw or throat,
like a recessed chin, that can narrow the airway?

3 Does your child have behavior problems: irritability, crankiness,
frustration, hyperactivity, difficulty paying attention?

3 Have you been told your child has poor growth or failure
to thrive?

3 Does your child get frequent infections of the tonsils,
adenoids or ear?

MAIN PHOTO BY GETTY IMAGES

Of course, putting your children to bed and actually having them
sleep soundly are two different things. What if you find a child tossing and turning, snoring or moaning during sleep? What if he or she
is constantly waking up crying in the middle of the night?
The Parrish Sleep Disorders Center, in partnership with Nemours
Children's Hospital, provides specialized care by a board-certified
pediatric sleep specialist and specially trained pediatric sleep technologists to children beginning at age 1.
Your child is at risk for a sleep disorder if you answer yes to any
of these questions:
3 Does your child snore?
3 Does your child breathe with mouth open most nights?
3 Does your child have pauses in breathing while sleeping?
3 Is your child overweight?

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2018 - Parrish Medical Center