How can I help my child sleep better?

It’s a frequent question for parents: Is my baby, child, or teen getting enough sleep? Parents tend to worry regardless of their child’s age, and for good reason — many kids aren’t getting the sleep they need.

In this episode, host Dr. Jennifer Arnold is joined by Dr. Judith Owens of Boston Children's Sleep Center. Together they delve into the critical importance of sleep for children, share advice for families, and answer questions such as:
• Why is sleep important?
• How much sleep is needed for various ages?
• What are some helpful tips for going to bed and waking up?
• What are the signs my child may be experiencing a sleep issue?
• What kind of research is Boston Children’s doing about sleep?
• How do school start times impact my child’s sleep?
• Could melatonin help my child sleep?
• When should I take my child to a sleep specialist?

Sleep is important. It impacts cognitive function, mood, memory, and many other things. Do what you can to help your child get the rest they need; consistency is the key to success. And if your child is experiencing a sleep issue, take them to see a sleep doctor with a sleep lab experienced in studying children.