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Dr. Jodi Fidler: Children and Sleep
Intro: This podcast is being brought to you by Tempur-Pedic, the worldwide leader in specialty sleep products that help improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world.
Mary Eitel: Hello, my name is Mary Eitel, and our guest today is Tempur-Pedic Wellness Advisory Board member Dr. Jodi Fidler. Dr. Fidler is a chiropractor at Davis Chiropractic in St. Louis, focusing on nutritional therapy. Thank you for being with us today, Dr. Fidler.
JF: Thank you for having me.
ME: One of the biggest challenges for parents of school-age children is making sure our kids get enough rest. Why is a good night’s sleep so important to children?
JF: You’re right, Mary. Sleep is crucial for kids, especially for smaller children who are still growing. As parents, you and I both know what happens when our kids don’t get a good night’s sleep—they are cranky, moody and irritable. Studies also show that kids who don’t get enough sleep are more prone to illness, and end up more missing school due to sickness.
ME: Speaking of school, how can parents be sure they are sending their kids to class with a good night’s sleep?
JF: One of the most important things to remember when it comes to kids and sleep is developing a nighttime routine. Without a routine, it’s difficult for children to get a full and restful night’s sleep. Being tired in school can result in difficulty paying attention in class, an inability to remember what you’ve learned or to solve problems and think creatively. All of these are critical skills for good students.
ME: So what do you suggest when it comes to a bedtime routine?
JF: Bedtime is a time to wind down, so I suggest calming activities such as taking a bath, reading a story or giving your child a gentle massage. Brushing teeth should be part of the routine, and this should all happen at the same time every night. Kids need between 10 and 11 hours of sleep each night, so back up their bed-time 10 or 11 hours before they need to get up each morning. With the fall season upson us,, that time is likely to be much earlier than it has been during the last couple of months.
ME: What about the sleeping environment for children?
JF: Keep TVs, computers, iPods, video games and other distractions out of the bedroom, because they can arouse your child and keep him or her up later. Kids also need a comfortable supportive mattress and pillow because they tend to move around a lot. A supportive bed limits the tossing and turning, so your kids get a restful, sound sleep. Kids also need special, smaller pillows that help to align their necks and prevent problems. A child should never complain of back or neck pain after sleeping.
ME: I know what mattress is right for me but how do I pick the one that’s best for my child?
JF: That’s a great question. Like adults, children also need to sleep on a mattress that gives their spines proper support so that they don’t end up with pressure points or soreness when they wake up in the morning. Sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress causes a child to toss and turn throughout the night and their sleep will not be as restful.
ME: What is your recommendation to other parents shopping for a mattress for their children?
JF: I recommend that they shop for a mattress for their child in the same way they look for a mattress for themselves. They should look for a mattress that gives appropriate support for the spine no matter what position the person sleeps in. I prefer the Tempur-Pedic mattresses because it gives the perfect amount of support whether you are a 3 year old or a 50 year old. The great thing is that these mattresses have a 20 year warranty, so you literally only have to shop for a mattress for your child once. Both of my daughters have Tempur-Pedic mattresses in their bedrooms.
ME: Any other sleep suggestions for parents getting ready for the school year to begin?
JF: I’m also an advocate of exercise and eating properly, and the effect that each of those has on the quality of sleep your child is getting. Make sure your kids are out playing as much as possible during the daylight hours; it wears them out and helps them to sleep much more soundly. Also, cut down on the amount of sugar they eat, especially after dinner; it just gets them wound up all over again, and makes the bedtime routine not so pleasant.
ME: Thank you Dr. Fidler for your insights.
Outro: This is Mary Eitel for Tempur-Pedic mattresses. For more information on the important relationship between restful sleep and wellness, visit Tempur-Pedic online at http://www.tempur-pedic.com.