Dream feeding: An evidence-based guide to helping babies sleep longer
Dream feeding is designed to reduce sleep disruption. But for maximum effect, parents should combine it with other sleep-friendly practices.
Sleep
Infant sleep training: Gentle alternatives to “cry it out”
When parents hear about infant sleep training, they often think of babies left alone in their cribs to cry themselves to sleep. But there are alternatives to such an approach.
Do kids grow out of insomnia?
Insomnia might sound like an adult problem, but many kids experience insomnia symptoms, and new research suggests that most symptomatic children will continue to have trouble in their teen years or beyond. How do experts define insomnia? Who is at higher risk for developing symptoms? And what can we do to prevent lasting sleep problems? Here’s an overview of the evidence.
Poor sleep intensifies next-day stress for parents
Can a lack of sleep cause stress? Research confirms that we experience more stress the day after a poor night’s sleep. And the effects might be particularly noticeable for parents struggling to care for multiple children while holding down a job.
Does sleep loss make kids crave sweets, gain weight?
Sleep loss is linked with weight gain, but why? Experiments suggest that sleep restriction prompts kids to seek out sugary snacks and drinks.
Tech at bedtime: Do electronic media devices cause sleep problems in children?
Electronic media devices can cause sleep problems in children. How serious is this? And what can we do about it?
Signs of sleep deprivation in children and teens
When kids skimp on sleep, there’s more at stake than feeling a bit grumpy and drowsy. Learn about the signs of sleep deprivation.
When do babies sleep through the night?
© 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved Studies suggest that most babies begin to “sleep through the night” (at least 5-6 hours without parental intervention) by 3-6 months of age. But some infants take longer, and the road to progress can be bumpy. Even after babies experience their first, long episodes of nighttime sleep, … Continue reading
Bedtime problems in children: Solutions for the science-minded parent
Bedtime problems are pretty common, especially among young children. But are these problems inevitable? No. Cross-cultural research — and clinical studies — indicate that we can quash most troubles by making a few, key changes. What should we do when our children fail to fall asleep at bedtime, or protest that they aren’t sleepy? Or … Continue reading
Bedtime fading: An evidence-based, step-by-step guide (with examples)
© 2020 Gwen Dewar, all rights reserved Bedtime fading is a gentle, “no cry” technique for re-aligning your child’s internal clock with the bedtime you desire. You start by asking your child to go to bed late — late enough that your child experiences a powerful physiological urge to sleep. Then, over multiple days, you … Continue reading
Baby sleep deprivation: How to tell if your baby isn’t sleeping enough
Is there such a thing as “baby sleep deprivation” ? It’s clear that babies can cause sleep deprivation in others. But whether or not babies themselves suffer from sleeplessness is less clear. In my search for published studies about infants with insomnia, I’ve come up with almost nothing. Researchers acknowledge all sorts of infant sleep … Continue reading
How to reset your child’s internal clock for an earlier bedtime: A comprehensive, troubleshooting guide
How can we help kids adapt to an earlier schedule? Morning sunlight, exercise, and other environmental cues can help reset a child’s internal clock. But to make sure kids feel physiologically drowsy at bedtime, we need to use additional strategies. Understanding the big picture: How circadian rhythms, daytime naps, and social factors impact your child’s … Continue reading