Asian Kids Have Later Bedtimes, Less Total Sleep
Young children in predominantly Caucasian countries obtain more overall sleep, have earlier bedtimes, and are less likely to room-share than young children in predominantly Asian countries. These results indicate substantial differences in sleep patterns in young children throughout the world, that what a new study says.
The study, authored by Jodi Mindell of Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, focused on 28,287 infants and toddlers, whose parents completed a sleep questionnaire. These children were from the United States (4,505), the United Kingdom (800), Australia (1,073), New Zealand (1,073), Canada (501), Hong Kong (1,049), Korea (1,049), Taiwan (896), Thailand (988), Indonesia (967), Japan (967), China (7,505), India (3892), Malaysia (997), Philippines (997), and Singapore (1001).
According to the results, significant variability in bedtimes and total sleep time were found. Room-sharing ranged from 15.1 percent in Canada to 94.5 percent in Thailand. There was also a wide-range in the percentage of parents who perceived that their child had a small or severe sleep problem (11 percent in Thailand to 76 percent in China).
Overall, children from predominantly Asian countries had significantly later bedtimes, shorter total sleep times, increased parental conception of sleep problems, and were more likely to room share than children from predominantly Caucasian countries. On the other hand, there were limited differences with no clinical significance in night wakings and naps.
The study was presented June 11 at the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, in Baltimore.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) offers some tips to help your child sleep better:
* Follow a consistent bedtime routine. Set aside 20 to 30 minutes to get your child ready to go to sleep each night.
* Establish a relaxing setting at bedtime.
* Interact with your child at bedtime. Don’t let the TV, computer or video games take your place.
* Do not let your child fall asleep while being held, rocked, fed a bottle, or while nursing. Children who fall asleep independently sleep better at night.
* At bedtime, do not allow your child to have foods or drinks that contain caffeine. This includes chocolate and sodas. Try not to give him or her any medicine that has a stimulant at bedtime. This includes cough medicines and decongestants.
It is important to make sure that your child gets enough sleep and sleeps well. The value of sleep can be measured by your child’s smiling face, happy nature and natural energy. A child who does not get enough sleep may have behavior problems. A child’s sleep problems can also cause unnecessary stress for you and the other members of your family.
Source:
:: Yahoo News, 12 June 2008
:: EurekAlert, 11 June 2008
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