We all know that not getting enough sleep can make you fat but according to a new study published by none other than Harvard University, babies (ages 6 months and older) who sleep less than 12 hours per day are at an increased risk of being obese as preschoolers. Researchers noted that the effect was heightened when coupled with television viewing. Children who slept the least and watched the most television were most likely to become obese.
I have no doubt that lack of sleep and obesity are linked. The body does essential reparation while we are sleeping and studies have shown that the less sleep you get, the fatter you are. I have no doubt that this would be true for children as well. But I have to be honest, I have my doubts about this study.
Busy Parenting Causes Obesity
It’s not that I doubt the validity of the results but I can’t help but think of all the frustrated mothers out there trying to get their babies to sleep more to no avail. I am a firm believer, and I’ve said it before–that sleeping patterns are really a reflection of a child’s personality. If you, as the parent are consistent in a bed time routine and are consistently putting your toddler to bed at the same time every night–even if your toddler doesn’t sleep that full twelve hours–I wouldn’t worry about it.
What I see happening though is that we inundate ourselves with playgroups and activities. Then we get home late for dinner. So we do a quick dinner (i.e. processed foods). Then we put our baby to bed a little later. But when do we moms get to do the things we have to do? Of course when baby goes to sleep. So then we go to bed a little later. Do you see the cycle? If we go to bed a little later–what do you think happens to breakfast? I cannot tell you the number of people who are shocked to find that I cook a real breakfast almost every morning. Granted it’s just oatmeal, eggs and fruit–but it’s a real, full breakfast–even for my toddlers.
What We Can Learn From This Study
So what I would encourage you to take from this study is the idea that you need to plan for a full night’s sleep for your baby or toddler–which is about 12 hours. If you’re doing everything within your power to get junior to sleep and he’s just not, that I wouldn’t worry about. You cannot force a baby to sleep and it’s more important to worry about responding to his cues than it is to worry about whether or not he might be obese in two years.
Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, solves breastfeeding problems, shares parenting tips, and current research in the baby blog, and insight, resources and ideas as a regular guest blogger in the homeschooling blog. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.
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