Community Magazine December 2012

7-12 months Many babies at this age take several naps – one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the early evening. Now is a perfect time to sleep train – a process to help your baby learn to sleep and stay asleep throughout the night. If your baby sleeps for 9-10 hours a night, take it as a sign that you are raising a good sleeper. 1-3 years old Despite our best efforts, sleep problems often occur with toddlers. Children at this age typically get 10 hours of sleep a night, though ideally you should aim for 14 hours in every 24-hour period. Your toddler will likely drop to one nap a day. If the child refuses, don’t force the nap. Instead, institute quiet time, such as a period of listening to calming music or looking at books, as a substitute. Be consistent with naptime and bedtime. You can reduce bedtime woes by giving your toddler a warm bath, cuddle time and story time, which will help your child unwind and prepare for bed. 4-6 years old By the age of five, napping is a thing of the past. Your goal should be 13 hours of nighttime sleep. 7-12 years old 11 hours a day is recommended. 13-18 years old Generally speaking, up to 10 hours of sleep is sufficient for teens and adults. Bear in mind, however, that the quality of sleep is just as vital as the number of hours spent sleeping. The quality of sleep directly affects one’s physical vitality, mental sharpness, emotional balance, and even weight. If you are getting enough hours of sleep but still have trouble waking up or staying alert, you most likely are not spending enough time in the rapid eye movement (REM) or dream stage of the sleep cycle, and you should consult with a professional. It is important to note the crucial difference between the amount of sleep your child can get by on, and the amount of sleep he needs for optimal functioning. Just because your child seems healthy and functional, this does not mean he is getting the sleep he needs to grow and perform to the best of his ability. Sleep is one of the cornerstones of good health. That’s pretty good news, considering there is no other activity that delivers so many benefits yet requires so little effort. By ensuring that we and our children get the sleep we need, and that any problems are promptly addressed, we can help maximize our daytime performance and general health, and make sure our bodies are strong and sturdy enough to do everything we want and need them to do. Dr. Jack Sadacka, M.D., is a well-known licensed pediatrician, in practice for 20 years. He can be reached at his office on, 813 Quentin Rd, Suite 202, at 718-645-2618. 212.594.2020 | www.therdgroup.com Offices in Manhattan and Long Island SERVING THE COMMUNITY f o r o v e r 4 0 y e a r s Experience helping four generations of community families minimize taxes and structure their financial lives KNOWLEDGE. EXPERIENCE. SOLUTIONS . Call Jeffrey Resnick , Managing Partner, for referrals or to set up an appointment. KISLEV 5773 DECEMBER 2012 37