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.