Pediatricians Endorsing New Sleep Guidelines

Between school and after-school activities, many parents struggle with making sure their kids get enough sleep. Now, the nation's leading group of pediatricians is endorsing a new set of sleep guidelines.

Getting enough sleep is not just critical for a child's physical health, but also to help with behavior and learning.

The new recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics say infants from four to 12 months old should get 12 to 16 hours of sleep. Children one to two years old should get 11 to 14 hours. Kids three to five years old should get 10 to 13 hours, and six to 12 years olds should get 9 to 12 hours.

Teenagers should get between eight to 10 hours of sleep.

"Decreased sleep can lead to hypertension, which is high blood pressure. We know it can lead to obesity. In teens it can lead to depression and adults as well," said  Dr. Corinn Cross with American Academy of Pediatrics.

Pediatricians also say parents should establish a routine to make sure kids get to bed on time like turning off TVs and computers 30 minutes before bedtime.