Sleep is a hot topic in my world.

As a pediatrician, I spend a good part of my time talking to people about it; whether I am helping parents of newborns hang in there during those early sleep-deprived days, or talking to teenagers about why it’s so important to get as much shuteye as possible, whether it’s a well visit or a sick visit, the subject of sleep is usually lurking somewhere in the conversation about staying physically and emotionally healthy.   The importance of good sleep is a constant across all age categories.  The more you sleep the better.  The less you sleep, the more likely you are to feel crummy, whether you are a sleep-deprived fussy infant or a cranky toddler who needs a nap, or an ornery, stressed adolescent who doesn’t get to bed early enough.  If you are sleep deprived, whether you are a kid or a parent, you are more likely to be crabby.  If you are sleep deprived, you are more vulnerable to illness.  There are studies which back this up.  The less you sleep, the lousier you feel, in general.  And the more you sleep, the better you feel.  […]