News

Sleep tips for new parents

Aug 13 2019...

As the summer winds down and people go back to work and school, many couples are preparing for a massive change in their lives – becoming parents. August and September usually see the most babies born in the United States compared with the rest of the year. READ MORE>>

5 ways to help your child get better sleep

Jun 17 2015...

If parents around the world can agree on anything, it’s this — getting kids to sleep is hard. A new study involved 10,085 mothers from 14 different countries. It looked at the effects of what a regular bedtime routine would do for kids who were 5 years old or younger. The results were conclusive. Children with a consistent bedtime routine experienced reduced night awakenings, increased sleep duration, shorter time in bed before falling asleep and earlier bedtimes. These sleep patterns established early on are more likely to be carried through to adulthood. READ MORE>>

Pure caffeine powder can be deadly

Apr 16 2015...

A new health advisory warns consumers that powdered pure caffeine can be dangerous and deadly. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises the public to avoid pure caffeine powder.

Caffeine powder is highly potent, and a safe serving size is extremely small. It is nearly impossible to measure caffeine powder accurately in the home. As a result the risk of an accidental, lethal overdose is high.

Sleep is an all-natural performance enhancer that gives you an energy boost. It also improves your health and mood. Best of all – it’s free, and no prescription is required. You can’t find it online, but you can get it at home. Try some sleep tonight! READ MORE>>

Five sleep tips for parents of tired teens

Aug 27 2014...

The summertime sleep habits of most teens today would be enough to make Ben Franklin blow a proverbial fuse. A 3 a.m. to Noon sleep schedule isn’t likely to meet his standard of “early to bed, early to rise.” But it can be the norm for night-owl teens when they are free from a school schedule.

As teens go back to school for the fall, Ben will get his revenge each morning when the alarm clock sounds. These early morning wake-up calls will leave most teens short on sleep during the school week. Here are five tips from the AASM to help parents promote healthy sleep in teens. READ MORE>>

Back to school sleep tips for kids

Aug 11 2014...

For kids, the long summer of sleeping in, staying up late and enjoying leisurely mornings is coming to a rapid close. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) offers tips to help parents adjust their children’s sleep schedules for both success in school and to promote a healthy lifestyle. READ MORE>>

Video preview: Free sleep apps for children

Nov 22 2013...

Children will have fun learning about sleep with two new apps from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Each app is available for free download on your iPad, Kindle Fire or Android tablet.

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Set a technology curfew to help your child sleep

Oct 28 2013...

How can sleep compete for kids’ attention in a new era of on-demand media? Making sure that children have a consistent bedtime is a good starting point. But a bedtime is not enough.

It’s time for moms and dads to implement Bed 2.0. In addition to establishing a bedtime, parents need to develop some practical rules for media use in the home. This includes setting a technology "curfew” for media devices and cell phones prior to bedtime.

Parents also should keep the TV and all Internet-connected devices out of a child’s bedroom. It is important for the bedroom to be a calm, quiet retreat from the day’s activities. READ MORE>>

Fun, free apps help children learn about sleep

Oct 14 2013...

Help your child become a super sleeper using two free children’s apps from the AASM. Download the fun, interactive apps for your iPad, Kindle Fire or Android tablet.

The AASM recommends sharing the apps with children during the daytime for educational enjoyment and interaction. Special features make learning fun for kids. Each app includes pop-up facts, a coloring book, puzzle, quiz and matching game. READ MORE>>

Is TV part of your child’s bedtime routine?

Jan 16 2013...

A new study examined the “screen time” before bedtime of children and teens. This is the amount of time spent on the computer, watching TV or playing video games. READ MORE>>

Comparing Child Parasomnias

Nov 11 2012...

Parasomnias are sleep disorders that involve undesirable events and experiences. These behaviors are common in children. For the most part, they are a normal part of childhood.

Some of these disorders are similar to one another. They share some common features. The following chart will help you distinguish one parasomnia from another.

Although they tend to be common and harmless, parasomnias can be a severe problem for some children. You should contact an AASM accredited sleep disorders center if a sleep problem greatly disturbs your child. READ MORE>>