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  • TV time before bed may keep your kids awake longer

    Walk me through your child’s nighttime rituals. What does it look like? Dinner, bath, then wind down with your child’s favorite movie or recorded TV show – sound about right? I would be willing to bet that many kids watch some form of TV before going to bed, as parents attempt to clean up from dinner, do laundry, or finally take a break from a busy day. What if I told you that TV time before bed actually makes your kids stay awake longer? That’s right. If you want your kids to fall asleep faster at bedtime, it may be a good idea to turn of the TV, and even the iPad and computer, at night. Here’s why.

    The Study

    A recent study published in the Journal Pediatrics took an inside look at the effects of TV time on a child’s sleep patterns. Researchers surveyed over 2,000 kids, ages 5 to 18, on their activities within 90 minutes of going to sleep. They found that watching TV was the most common reported activity, and took up at least 30 minutes of the child’s 90-minute pre-sleep activity log.

    What does this mean?

    Researchers found that there was a direct correlation between kids who watched TV and the amount of (prolonged) time in which they were able to fall asleep. When compared to kids who chose non-screen activities before bed, those who regularly watched TV leading up to bedtime had a harder time falling asleep. Based on this study, it is recommended that kids reduce the amount of TV time before bed to improve their overall sleep quality.

    Alternatives to TV time at night

    While the occasional movie night with the kids shouldn’t be banned (and is something that kids can look forward to), there are many other ways to help prepare them for bedtime. Here are some suggestions:  Give your child a warm bath and cozy up to a good book (or two) in bed Allow your kids to quietly play in their rooms, read alone, or listen to music Have one-on-one time. Spend time with your child playing a game or working on a puzzle before bed.  Share a story. Create a fairytale together or quietly sing songs to your little one before turning the lights out.Whatever your child’s nighttime ritual is, try to avoid the habit of staring at a glaring TV screen before bed. Not only will this encourage your child to fall asleep faster, but it even allows for better quality time with your kids at night.

    Share with us! Do you allow your kids to watch TV before bed? What do your kids’ bedtime rituals look like? 

  • What To Expect if Your Child Needs a Colonoscopy

    You might think colonoscopies are only for older adults to screen for cancer. But children sometimes have the procedure, too, to diagnose causes of abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, rectal bleeding and unexplained weight loss.

  • Essential oils for children

    You may have heard of a new trend popping up in the parenting community: using essential oils to treat a variety of illnesses or to promote general good health in children.

  • Encopresis: is your child having a potty accident or is it something more?

    From time to time, people experience physical changes or symptoms that they might be embarrassed to talk about. Therefore, they might avoid seeking medical attention and the problem goes untreated for longer than it should. One such problem is encopresis. Encopresis is defined as involuntary passage of feces as a result of constipation.

  • EpilepsyU presents a Q & A webinar on "epilepsy and children" with Dr. Davis

    This week, EpilepsyU, a part of the Epilepsy Association of Central Florida, hosted a Q & A webinar on “epilepsy and children” featuring Dr. Ron Davis, Pediatric Neurologist and Co-Director of Pediatric Epilepsy for the Level 4 Epilepsy Center at Arnold Palmer Hospital.

  • If news headlines have made you feel like a bad parent, you aren’t alone

    You are a bad parent.

  • How to childproof your kitchen

    Childproofing is a very real concern in my home right now. I have a 5-year-old daughter and a very active 18-month-old son, and although I’ve experienced the challenges of life with a toddler before, I have to admit that it is very different the second time around. I used to secretly wonder why some parents attached every kind of childproofing gadget they could think of to every item in their house; now I know. My daughter got into some things (as every kid does), but mostly she was more interested in being with me than exploring the off-limits things around our house. My son, though, is a completely different kid. We’ve nicknamed him “Curious George” because like the fictional character, his adventurous spirit has the potential to get him into a lot of trouble.

  • Does Your Baby Have Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy?

     

  • Questions you may have about vaccines

    Over the last few weeks, we’ve had a few . Here are some answers to common questions that parents may have about vaccines.

    Should I be concerned about thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative?

    Preservatives have been used in some vaccines in the past to prevent contamination with bacteria and other harmful substances. Contamination with such substances could cause serious and even fatal bacterial infections, and thimerosal was used to prevent these harmful events.

  • How do I raise an introverted child?

    I have always been somewhat of a quiet person- someone who doesn’t want a lot of attention and who needs down time, especially after a social event. I am an introvert through and through and when I met my husband, one of the things that drew me to him was the fact that he is one as well. We have a mutual understanding that there will be times that there is quiet between us, times when one of disappears into a book or activity for hours, and comes back with renewed energy.