If you have not already done so, please read Blog Posts 1 through 5 that describe how sleep is important and beneficial. I will post specific information for parents and children based on my book, “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.” Please do not be put off by my book’s length. This is a reference book. Read only the topic of interest to you.
There is a relationship between mother’s sleep and baby’s sleep during the baby’s first two years.
During the baby’s entire first two years of life, about 30% of mothers get inadequate sleep and 35% of mothers get adequate sleep. About 20% of mothers get inadequate sleep throughout their baby’s first year and adequate sleep during the entire second year. The remaining mothers transition between inadequate sleep and adequate sleep during the baby’s first and second year.
What infant sleep characteristics, at 3, 12, 18, and 24 months, predict whether the mother gets adequate or inadequate sleep during the entire first two years? At all four time points, if the infant has fewer nighttime wakings requiring parental attention, mothers were able to get adequate sleep. The next most common infant sleep variable (at 12 and 24 months) was an earlier bedtime for the baby.
Moving the baby’s bedtime earlier (Blog Post 174) might help your baby sleep better at night and then both of you will get more sleep!
