Exam week is almost over! Well, we still have a few exam next week.. but we’re done with the major subjects. At alam nyo naman pag exam week, minsan hindi maiiwasan ang hindi magpuyat.. masakit na nga ang ulo ko haha I badly need my 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep! (as if that would be possible LOL).. but more than my need, I noticed how my first suffers from our lack of sleep. Arriving from school, he would go straight to the bedroom and sleep.. I can sense how exhausted he was.. and he a bit cranky too. He’s not his usual cheerful and playful self. I know it’s my fault.. knowing the importance of sleep, I shouldn’t have let him stay up late.. OK this will be the last time I will do it. Promise.. I’ll be a better momtutor next grading. 

From our experience, that’s the usual effect of lack of sleep, crankiness, loss of appetite and sometimes lack of foucs.. kawawa naman ang mga bagets pag ganyan ang mode nila.. mas OK pa na laging riot kesa makita mong matamlay sila.. kaya promise talaga, that would be the last time that I will let them stay up late for reviewing.. umpisa pa lang ng third grading eh maghahanda na ako ng bongga haha

But there are surprising effects of lack of sleep for babies. An article from Children’s Hospital Michigan says:

What’s more, a study in Pediatrics confirmed that childhood sleep deficiencies may not only have immediate effects, but may be linked to future problems, including decreases in mental functioning that begin as early as adolescence. Increasing evidence also suggests that poor sleep contributes to major health problems, such as obesity.

You read the full article here.

OBESITY? seriously?!?

Another article published in Harvard Shcool of Public Health confirmed that lack of sleep can lead to obesity, in fact in a study in New Zealand, the conclusion was: Each one hour reduction in sleep during childhood was associated with a 50 percent higher risk of obesity at age 32.

How come? I am sure you also want to know how lack of sleep can lead to obesity?

I also want to know..obesity is a serious case and of course, as a mom I want to prevent it.. but it is now known yet how lack of sleep influence weight but researchers cited a theory on how lack of sleep can lead to decreased physical activity and also can lead to increase in food intake. A second theory was mentioned which focuses on hormones that regulate body weight. Although the studies have made for adults and not for children, the theory is still considered.

Are you as surprised as I am how lack of sleep can affect our babies? It’s a long term effect moms, so really have to know our kids more in the sleep department. Know the Most Common Reasons Why Babies Wake Up At Night and how to avoid it.