Sleep

 

Sleep is an essential part of your growing child's health. The amount of sleep needed changes as the child grows older. Newborns sleep approximately 16 to 17 hours a day, while preschoolers need only about 12 hours a day.

Normal sleep has two parts: rapid eye movement (REM) and nonrapid eye movement (NREM). REM is an active form of sleep that is not as deep as NREM sleep. Dreams often happen during REM sleep. NREM sleep is a deep sleep. There are less body movements during this phase and the child breathes at a more regular rate.

Sleep disturbances or problems are very common during infancy and childhood, including having trouble getting your child to bed, nightmares, and night terrors. Listed in the directory below you will find additional information regarding sleep habits and your child, for which we have provided a brief overview.

Latest Kids' Health News
HIV drugs not linked with child psychiatric problems

February 7, 2012 — CHICAGO (Reuters) - Drugs used to treat children infected with the virus that causes AIDS do not appear to increase the risk of psychiatric problems in children, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

Child abuse experts calls for US campaign

February 5, 2012 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Nearly 4,600 U.S. children were hospitalized with broken bones, traumatic brain injury and other serious damage caused by physical abuse in 2006, according to a new report.

Many kids still exposed to secondhand smoke in cars

February 5, 2012 — NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new government study reports that while fewer kids and teens are getting exposed to secondhand smoke while riding in the car, rates of exposure are still high enough to warrant concern.

Select news items provided by Reuters Health