The Sleep Forum and World Sleep Society have come together to produce TEN podcasts about sleep as we countdown to World Sleep Day on March 13, 2010. In this podcast, Doug Green, Publisher of The Sleep Forum and Allan O'Bryan, Executive Director of The Sleep Society speak with guest speaker Dr. Lourdes DelRosso, Sleep Physician at Seattle Children's Hospital and Associate Professor in the department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. O'Bryan begins the podcast by explaining that "world sleep society is a non-profit, membership based organization representing sleep researchers and clinicians around the world focusing on awareness and education. We use World Sleep Day, one of our biggest events, as opportunity for our membership reach out to the public and highlight the importance of sleep." When asked by O'Bryan to explain the importance of good night's sleep to our listeners, DelRosso immediately commented, "the increasing amount of research proves that we (adults and children) need quality sleep to consolidate memories, regulate the cardiovascular system, maintain even blood pressure and more. The podcast continued with discussion about recommendations DelRosso might have for parents with regard to children and sleep. First, DelRosso recommends that everyone check out the World Sleep Society list of healthy sleep habits for children. Second, consistency is key and the most important element. Inconsistency with your child's bedtime is like "putting your children in a different time zone every day." Create quiet time or wind down so the brain knows to start preparing for sleep. DelRosso spoke of research she and an international task force is currently working to prove that "restless sleep" is an actual sleep disorder. Looking back as far as 1981, this topic was already being discussed. Restless sleep used to be viewed as a depression or anxiety disorder. Now, it is being recognized as another possible sleep disorder as it does not fall into the same category that other sleep disorders do. When asked by O'Bryon to describe quality sleep, DelRosso says, "quality sleep is a subjective term which is what makes it hard for us researchers.  We have come to recognize that sleep disorders will disturb sleep.  But we must also remember other variables that can disturb our sleep like pain, eczema or asthma." DelRosso talked about how she sees a shift in awareness for quality sleep and sleep disorders. More parents are asking questions about sleep than ever before. She reminds parents not to wait if you think your child has a sleep disorder. Discuss the situation with your primary doctor and keep a sleep log. Pay attention to sleep and wake times, breathing problems, snoring, or napping. DelRosso tells the listeners about her own experiences with sleep deprivation throughout her life. "This has given me more awareness of what others are going through. says DelRosso. As sleep doctors, we try to see how others feel." DelRosso ends the podcast by reminding the listeners of the World Sleep Day 2020 slogan - Better sleep, better life, better planet. She says "it is great how different communities around the world are putting an emphasis on the sleep health of their citizens to make the world better for all of us."