Researchers have found that TV viewing by children under the age of 3 is associated with irregular sleep schedules.

Regular sleep schedules are important because they ensure children get better quality and quantity of sleep, and can help prevent problems such as bedtime resistance or nighttime awakenings. Previous studies have linked television with sleep disturbances for older children and adolescents.

More Than a Third of Children Affected

For the study, data from the National Survey of Early Childhood Health was examined for over 2,000 children 4 months to 35 months of age. They found that 27 percent of children had irregular bedtime schedules, and more than a third had irregular naptime schedules. The number of hours of television the children watched was linked with a greater likelihood of varied naptimes and bedtimes.

Cause and Effect

Theories as to why this is so include both the idea that that television viewing causes irregular sleep schedules, and that irregular sleep may lead to increased TV viewing.

Also according to the study::

• Infants (ages 4-11 months) watched, on average, less than an hour of TV a day.
• Toddlers (12-23 months) watched about 90 minutes a day.
• Children (24-35 months) watched more than two hours a day.

No TV Below 2 Years of Age

The study authors concluded by recommending that parents follow the American Academy of Pediatrics' guidelines for television viewing, which advocates no TV for children less than 2 years of age, and no more than two hours of TV viewing per day for older children. Thirty percent of U.S. children under 3 currently have a TV in their bedroom.