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.
Young children who have healthy sleep tend to seek healthy sleep as teens and adults (Blog Posts starting at 242 and 243) because they remember how good it feels to be well-rested. I asked some former patients whether there were carry-over effects for their own children, the next generation.
Q: “Your parents received advice from me regarding sleep beginning when you were a baby and my question is whether or not you are more attentive to or more successful than your peers regarding healthy sleep in your own child or children. In other words, do you think that my attempts to educate your parents about your sleep when you were growing up might have any carry-over effect on the next generation, your own child or children?”
Mary
I do not think I have been more successful than my peers regarding the implementation of healthy sleep habits; however, I do think that I am more attentive to my children’s sleep, particularly as they get older. My children are 3.5 and 2 years old now. My oldest is in a Montessori school with an afternoon nap option and my youngest is at home with a nanny.
Healthy sleep habits were part of my upbringing and something that I was cognizant and appreciative of through every stage of my life, so before my first child was born I was already aware of the Weissbluth method and knew it was an option for my growing family.
While the majority of my peers have been able to establish healthy sleep habits for their children there were a few notable differences at the beginning of sleep training that were directly tied to my personal experience:
As my children get into the toddler stage, I try to prioritize their sleep but have found it next to impossible to ensure consistent and healthy sleep habits once they are in school/daycare. I have really struggled with weighing the pros/cons of school/daycare vs keeping them at home where we can maintain and adjust their sleep based on their needs. We are in a financial position where we can weigh these factors, but the shortage of school/daycare spots also has forced us to make decisions much earlier than anticipated.
Overall, I do think there is a carry-over effect but I also believe that my peers are very open and receptive to establishing healthy sleep from the beginning regardless of their exposure beforehand. As my children get older, I find myself being more flexible with their sleep routines and focus my energy and attention on maintaining healthy sleep when and where I can.
