Late Bedtime Is A Nuisance
“Go to sleep, or you won’t grow!” is probably one of the most commonly used phrases in upbringing, and has been used by many generations in an attempt to get a child to go to bed early under threat. But what, according to psychiatry, is the disadvantage of a child going to bed late? What are the consequences for the child of the sleep advancing?
In this article, we report on the surprising findings that have been made in the science of sleep. They show that children who go to bed late are more prone to many disorders. This is definitely a controversial view, but let’s take a closer look at what science says about it.
Delayed bedtime in children: a scientific perspective
Are you one of those mothers who usually put kids to bed late? Maybe you’ve tried hard, but you just don’t let the little ones go to bed early and follow a strict routine. And the result is a postponement of sleep. If that is the case, the mornings will probably cause those typical complaints and griefs even in your own home.
A new and controversial study has been conducted on this subject, and it says that going to bed late leads to a very significant difference in a child’s growth and development. These are the conclusions of a well-known child psychiatrist, José Ferreira Belisario.
According to research conducted by this esteemed doctor, changes in habits and lifestyles have a direct impact on a child’s future. In fact, they can lead to problems such as lack of concentration, anxiety, and many other disorders.
Nowadays, getting children to sleep by ten in the evening is not a matter of course. What can often be seen, according to the said doctor’s report, is this: the family ends up at the doctor’s office, as these evenings of late bedtime cause problems.
Is it possible to change this way?
While there are some sleep routines that can be changed simply, it’s good to understand that this involves as much project as a complete change in the habits of the whole family. Children are less likely to think they should go to bed early if everyone else is still awake. Therefore, experts recommend that you prepare for sleep by putting the lights away at home.
Another tip your doctor will give you is that at home – or at least in the bedrooms – you should avoid white light and choose yellow light instead. It gives a warm light that is more relaxing and that helps us get to sleep.
According to the doctor, leaving electrical devices on, such as phones or iPads, is not a good idea. According to him, these are the real enemies of a child’s sleep routine, and they wake up in the middle of the night.
But why is late bedtime a big drawback?
According to several scientific studies, children should go to bed early for a very fundamental and simple reason. In more people, growth hormones begin to take effect around 00:30, but only in the fourth stage of sleep.
This means that if your child goes to bed at 22-23.00 or even later, this hormone has much less time to act, and thus the habit has a bad effect on growth.
To carry out the study, the researchers compared brain activity in children accustomed to early and late bedtime. These same kids were then on a math test. The first group did well, but the second did well in only one, small part of the test.
Scientists suspected that children who sleep less or worse often retain less studied knowledge than those who have rested better. In addition, researchers claim that children who get enough sleep become adults who are less prone to suffer from diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
However, experts in the field of child psychiatry emphasize that anyone can reduce this risk and delay the onset of the disease through sleep and exercise. “The more, the better,” the doctor says, and also stresses that parents should try to put children to play sports at an early age.
This study will undoubtedly provoke major reactions. The subject is open to debate and, as always, there are many opinions. But then what do our readers think about it? Do you agree with these controversial findings?
