How Much Sleep Is Enough?

When my son turned 18 months he went from two naps a day to just one in the afternoon. Now that he's already 2 1/2 years old he still takes an average of 2 hours naptime. He is a good night sleeper, he sleeps through the night unless he missed his afternoon nap. So that is how important naptime is to him and to me as well. He is usually restless at night and cries every now and then when he missed his nap, and it's not fun getting up in the middle of the night.

So how many hours of sleep should a toddler have? Well it varies from child to child, and even from day to day in the same child. Toddlers sleep an average of twelve hours a day in the 3rd year, but that's an average that takes into account those who sleep only 10 hours and those who sleep 14, those who nap and those who don't.

If your toddler has recently given up his afternoon nap, you can expect him to be sleepier and crankier than usual until his body adjusts to his new shut-eye schedule. But as long as he is able to function well on the sleep he is getting you can rest assured he is getting enough. If he is not functioning up to par, continue to be tired and cranky, consider moving bedtime ahead a bit to compensate for the nap he's nixed.

My son is usually in bed between 8 and 8:30pm and he wakes up before 7am. And then he takes a nap for at least 2 hours every afternoon. So he's getting at least 13 hours of sleep total. I am careful about him not missing two naptimes in a row, otherwise he won't function really well that will stress me out too.

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Are Your Kids Acting Up?

Winter is my least favorite season of all, not only because of the cold weather but also because of the heavy winter outfit we have to wear. It's so frustrating when we have to go somewhere and my son acts up and won't wear his winter jacket, boots, hat and mittens, not to mention he's arching his back sometimes when you sit him in his car seat too, whew! I would sometimes literally drag him just so we won't be late for an appointment. It's always hard to head out in time when things like this happen.

Here are some common problems that moms encounter everyday and suggested quick solutions:

• PROBLEM: Your child screams uncontrollably when it's time to get dressed.
• HOW ABOUT: Making it a matter of choice: "Do you want to wear a dress or jeans?
• NO LUCK? TRY: A change of scenery. Getting dressed in the kitchen might be more fun

* * *

• PROBLEM: Your child clamps her mouth shut at the sight of a spoon.
• HOW ABOUT: Taking a bite yourself. It will look less like you're forcing something on her.
• NO LUCK? TRY: Giving up - for now. She won't starve, so pick your battles.

* * *

• PROBLEM: Your child refuses to share at a playdate
  
• HOW ABOUT: Putting her leadership skills to work: say "Teach Kristen how to play with the toy."
  
• NO LUCK? TRY: "Two more minutes, then it's Kristen's turn. Decide what to play with next.

* * *

• PROBLEM: Your child won't go to bed.
  
• HOW ABOUT: Letting her rest on the floor of her room.
  
• NO LUCK? TRY: Turning off the lights and TV's. With no reason to stay up, she may go to sleep.

* * *

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Snooze News

If you wake up before the alarm goes off, don't pull the pillow over your head for more shut-eye. We sleep in 90-minute cycles, from a deep sleep into a light one and back again. So if you doze off, you'll probably be jerked awake by the alarm just as you're entering deeper sleep - which translates to major crankiness.

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Is Your Child Getting Enough Sleep?

When my son was less than two years old, he used to take two naps of two hours each during the day. And when he turned two he just takes an afternoon nap for at least two hours. I always make it a point that he never misses a nap otherwise he will get restless at night. And also because sleep helps in a child's growth, I am really strict about nap schedule. But of course there are days when my son will miss his nap especially when I have to take him to my appointments or errands, but I will just make sure he won't miss it two days in a row.

If you are worried that your child is not getting enough sleep, sometimes it may not be a big deal. Some kids are simply natural short sleepers and it doesn't have a negative effect on their health or growth. But just be on the lookout for these signs of sleep deprivation - crankiness, aggressiveness, hyperactivity, difficulty paying attention, a reluctance to wake up in the morning, a tendency to fall asleep during daily activities, or a habit of sleeping two to three extra hours on weekends. If you see any of these symptoms on your child, you should help him get more sleep by limiting caffeine and exercise a few hours before bedtime, keeping TV and computer out of the bedroom, and sticking to a regular sleep and wake routine.

How much sleep most kids need:

• Birth to 2 months -- 10 1/2 to 18 hours
  
• 2 to 12 months -- 14 to 15 hours
• 1 to 3 years -- 12 to 14 hours
• 3 to 5 years -- 11 to 13 hours
• 5 to 12 years -- 10 to 11 hours
  

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Do I Get Enough Sleep?

I must admit that I'm so guilty of not getting enough sleep. I have high tolerance for staying up late, that is why my body is starting to give up on me. I do a lot of things during the day and not any of them is for myself. I mean I do household chores, running errands, mothering, being the accountant and secretary of the household, make and return phone calls, etc, etc. So at night when all the chaos subside, when I should be resting and sleeping already, the time for myself now begins. Doing my own things meaning blogging and recently scrapping. These two interests have been grabbing away those precious zzzzz's from me. I stay up as late as 3am and i'm just amazed at why I could still stand in the morning taking care of Mikey. Whew, need to sleep early more.

Just for fun, I took this test and anyone is welcome to grab it.

You Don't Get Enough Sleep

You definitely don't get enough sleep, and it's turning you into a mental zombie! You need to get more sleep, starting tonight if possible. Avoid caffeine, keep a regular bedtime, don't watch TV before bed, and sleep in complete darkness.

Do You Get Enough Sleep?

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