Babies need sleep to protect them from obesity
Sleep. It's one of the biggest issues facing new parents. In the middle of the night, if a baby is awake, so are you. Now there's another reason to make sleep a priority in the house -- babies and toddlers who do not get enough sleep in infancy are at risk for obesity, even as early as preschool. "Enough" sleep is defined as 12 hours a night, though the recommended amount for babies is often up to 15 hours a day.
Recent studies have shown a link between sleep and obesity, and this study reinforces those findings. If you're already keeping your child to a regular nap and bedtime schedule, there's probably no need to stress. But if your baby is routinely skipping naps or staying up late, it may be time to take a look at your day and see where you can squeeze in some more time for sleep.
Want to learn more about childhood obesity? Take this quiz at AOL Body.
.gif)
.gif)
.gif)
_thumbnail.gif){kind=icon}
America Takes It Off: Weekly Weight Loss #2_thumbnail.gif){kind=icon}
America Takes It Off: Wedneday Weigh-In #2
These healthy foods cost less than a buck
