Pediatric research confirms something that sounds almost like an old wives’ tale: most of a child’s height growth happens during sleep, not during the day. The reason has to do with growth hormone, released predominantly during deep sleep, especially in the first hours of the night.
That partly explains why children who sleep irregularly or insufficiently can, over the long term, show a slightly different growth pattern compared to those with a consistent sleep schedule – sleep isn’t just rest, it’s an active part of the physical development process.
It doesn’t mean one bad night stops growth – the body is remarkably adaptable over time – but it does mean children’s sleep deserves to be treated as a developmental factor, not just a routine for parents’ peace of mind.
Sometimes the simplest advice – “go to bed on time” – actually has the strongest scientific backing behind it.
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