― K I D S ―
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RIGHT BED FOR CHILDREN’S GROWTH
INTERVIEW BY AURÉLIE NEYROUD / PEDIATRIC OSTEOPATH
Sleep is of crucial importance at every stage of life and vital for the younger humans among us, helping them to grow up healthy – so taking care of your little one also involves choosing a good-quality bed and mattress for them. We talked to pediatric osteopath Aurélie Neyroud.
Finding the right mattress and the right bed seems to be quite a challenge! Indeed; first and foremost, it’s best to choose 100% natural materials and steer clear of anything artificial or synthetic. Babies are robust, but they are vulnerable too: they have virtually no immunity, and synthetic materials mean they run the risk of being exposed to various allergies – moreover, these are on the rise these days. Between ages 3 and 5, the endocrine disruptors present in artificial materials are a hazard for children too. What about children’s growth while they’re asleep in bed? What steps can parents take? Babies should be put to bed on their backs so they’re free to turn their head to the right or le . This is very important to avoid flat head syndrome. Once a baby is awake you can put them on their tummy so they can build up neck muscle.
Sleep regulates children’s growth; their brain plasticity is extraordinary, allowing them to learn fast and adapt quickly. Sleep plays a central role in regulating this plasticity and in other areas as well: it allows for physical, mental, emotional and cognitive development through the creation of nerve circuits and regulates the production of several hormones, including insulin (essential for appetite control) and cortisol (which controls growth). Good-quality sleep helps the spine and skeleton to grow properly by releasing hormones essential for tissue regeneration and bone development. Mrs Neyroud, what factors in children’s growth and comfort should be taken into account when choosing a bed for them? The ideal solution is to have a bed that will give the child the best possible rest so they can grow healthily. Infants can spend as much as 13 to 20 hours a day asleep, meaning that most growth naturally happens during that time. Their bed is their main living environment, so it’s important to make a good choice in that respect. The mattress should be chosen to ensure good bone development in the skull and allow the child to sleep in peace, safe from any hazards.
Text - Witold Langlois, Picture - ©Michel Bar Haim
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