For many people, having children means little sleep, stress and fatigue. In fact, sleep is one of the most difficult aspects of parenting. Few parents seem to have enough and most of the time there is a continuing lack. In this sense, a new study confirms that the more children sleep early, the more the mother has better mental health.
Getting to bed early is good for everyone
A study confirms that all these battles for children to go to bed are really worth it. When children go to bed early, they are healthier and their mothers are happier.
This may sound normal with common sense, but the Growing Up in Australia study confirms the truth of this fact. In this study, researchers have followed up on thousands of families since 2004. Every two years, these families participate in a series of interviews that allow researchers to check the physical and mental health of each family.
After analyzing the data collected from families on sleep and lifestyle, the researchers found that children who go to bed early, at 8:30 pm, had a better quality of life related to health. And the mental health of their mothers has also improved.
According to Dr. Jon Quach, lead author of the study, moms and dads, put their children to bed early is not just good for them, but also for parents.
Certainly, having a soft silence that reigns in the home shortly after 8 pm, contributes to a better health of the parents, and especially of the mother. This allows you to relax, relax and have time for yourself.
Having children requires mental and physical effort. By adding the mental burden of work, marital life, housekeeping and other life problems, it is not surprising that parents suffer from excessive stress and fatigue.
Children who go to bed earlier tend to sleep longer
In addition to having moms with better mental health, there are also real benefits for children. A US survey on the National Institutes of Health website found that children who go to bed earlier also sleep longer.
Children usually need a lot of sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, here are the recommended number of hours of sleep for children each night:
- Newborns (from 0 to 3 months): 14 to 17 hours
- Infants (4 to 11 months): 12 to 15 hours
- babies (1 to 2 years): 11 to 14 hours
- Preschoolers (3 to 5 years old): 10 to 13 hours
- School-age children (6 to 13 years): 9 to 11 hours
- Adolescents (14 to 17 years old): 8 to 10 hours
- Young adults (18 to 25 years old): 7 to 9 hours
What can parents do to get their children to bed earlier?
Researchers recommend limiting screen time for children or parents. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the blue light emitted by the screens helps delay the release of melatonin, which is the hormone responsible for the induction of sleep, and therefore increases alertness and resets the body's internal clock.
Experts also recommend a digital curfew to limit the use of television, tablets, smartphones and computers one to two hours before bedtime.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, it's a good idea to adopt constant sleeping habits. This can include a warm and soothing bath, or a good book. But whatever the parents choose as a routine before going to bed, a regular routine allows the child to adopt good sleep habits, especially if it starts in early childhood, so the sooner a routine is adopted, the better. is.
Other helpful tips for a good night's sleep include making sure kids get enough exercise during the day, avoiding coffee and keeping their room dark before of sleeping.
