By Jennifer Nerkie Kenney
A paediatrician at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Hilda Mantebea Boye, has stressed the importance of quality sleep in children, noting that it plays a critical role in their growth, emotional stability and learning.
Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show on Tuesday, April 14, Dr Boye said sleep, though often overlooked, is a vital biological process that supports brain development, strengthens the immune system and helps children regulate their emotions.
“Sleep is essential for a child’s development, emotional balance and learning,” she said.
Dr Boye noted that many children struggle to get adequate sleep due to irregular routines, excessive screen time, unhealthy eating habits and overstimulating environments, all of which negatively affect sleep quality.
She explained that “sleep hygiene” refers to healthy habits and environmental conditions that promote restful and uninterrupted sleep in children, adding that consistency in routines is key.
“Sleep hygiene is about creating healthy habits and a supportive environment that allows the child to have good quality sleep,” she said.
According to her, sleep requirements vary by age, with newborns needing up to 18 hours daily, infants requiring 12 to 16 hours, toddlers 11 to 14 hours, and school-aged children between nine and 12 hours, while adolescents need about eight to 10 hours.
She emphasised that younger children require more sleep due to rapid growth and development, noting that these durations include daytime naps where applicable.
“There is quite an amount of time that is needed for a child to sleep, and the younger the child is, the more sleep they require,” she said.
Dr Boye further advised parents to watch for signs of poor sleep, including frequent waking during the night, loud snoring, persistent fatigue, and conditions such as night terrors and nightmares.
She added that while some of these conditions may be outgrown, persistent sleep disturbances should be discussed with a medical professional.
“If a child is waking up many times in the night or snoring badly, then it affects the quality of sleep and parents should be concerned,” she said.
Touching on diet, she said food plays a significant role in sleep quality, recommending early dinners and light meals before bedtime, while cautioning against sugary, fatty and caffeinated foods at night.
She also encouraged parents to establish structured sleep routines early in a child’s life, noting that discipline and consistency are crucial in building healthy sleep patterns.
“You should avoid heavy meals and sugary or caffeinated foods close to bedtime because they can keep the child active and disrupt sleep,” she said.
