Experts Suggest 9 Hours Sleep by Baby to Enhance Puberty

 

They told newsmen in separate interviews in Lagos that disturbed sleep in children could affect puberty.

Dr Tony Umeh, a Consulting Clinical Psychologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) said that sleep was more important for a growing child.

``Deep sleep is an important factor at the phase of puberty; therefore it is extremely important to be sure that adolescents are getting adequate sleep-time per night.

``A child should at least engage in nine hours or more deep sleep a day for stable growth, `` Umeh said.

Dr Richard Nworah, a gynaecologist at the Optimal Specialist Hospital, Lagos, said that disordered sleep in a child could affect the brain.

``The brain is responsible for controlling puberty onset and deep sleep is the key to jump starting puberty, not just sleep in general.

``Puberty may start between the ages of 8 and 13 for females and 9 and 14 for males, `` he said.

Nworah also said that changes noticed in boys and girls at the puberty stage were actually prompted by occurrences in the brain.

According to him, the brain needs deep sleep most times.

Dr Bolanle Balogun, a Consultant Public Health Physician at the University of Lagos, advised parents to ensure that they regularly engage the children in deep sleep.

She said that sleep disorder could occur in a child through addiction to television, non-conducive sleeping environment and school’s homework.

Balogun said that intervention strategies in sleep disorder include calming the child by reading bedtime story book, singing to the child and by cuddling. 

``It is extremely important to try to keep children and adolescents on regular sleeping patterns especially when they are on the threshold of puberty, `` she said.