AAP encourages discussion of recommendations, healthy sleep habits during clinical visits
MONDAY, June 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidelines outlining recommended sleep duration for children from infants to teens have been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and published online June 13 in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
The guidelines suggest the following amounts of sleep for optimal health and functioning: infants 4 to 12 months: 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours, including naps; children 1 to 2 years: 11 to 14 hours per 24 hours, including naps; children 3 to 5 years: 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours, including naps; children 6 to 12 years: 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours; and teens 13 to 18 years: 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours.
The AAP also recommends that all electronic screens be turned off 30 minutes before bedtime and that televisions, computers, and other screens not be allowed in children’s bedrooms.
“Adequate sleep duration for age on a regular basis leads to improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health,” the AAP said in their endorsement statement. “Not getting enough sleep each night is associated with an increase in injuries, hypertension, obesity, and depression, especially for teens who may experience increased risk of self-harm or suicidal thoughts,” the guideline authors added in an AAP news release.
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