FROM OUR BLOG
THE ABC’s OF SAFE SLEEP
Safety is the very first consideration in evaluating your baby’s or child’s sleep. From baby-proofing the bedroom to crib and bed safety, my recommendations are based on years of experience and the guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics. You want to be close to your baby but safe sleep practice takes priority in a sleep environment. Unexplained sudden death in infancy is an unimaginable tragedy that is not fully understood but there are simple steps you can take to keep your baby safe.
Follow the ABC‘s: putting babies down Alone on their Backs to sleep in a Crib or bassinet free of bumpers and fluffy bedding. This helps to prevent overlay, in which the infant is breathing in a small trapped space which does not allow gaseous exchange.
I’ll listen to your concerns and help you create a safe environment so everyone can sleep soundly. I invite you to contact me to learn more.
INFANT FEEDING: FED IS BEST
You have heard and will continue to hear that “breast is best” for your baby. While most experts believe that breastmilk offers the best nutrition for a newborn, keep in mind that there are many healthy options and combinations of feeding available. So many, in fact, that it can be overwhelming, especially when you are a new mom.
Breastfeeding is a unique experience in each mother-baby pair. Many of my patients’ moms over the years found that nursing had been easy with one baby but different or more difficult with another baby. Milk supply and latching often improve with time and practice, but not always. It is not your fault if it doesn’t.
I advise new moms who are interested and invested in nursing to give it a one-week trial run. In order to maximize her chance of success, I further advise that everyone at home help by keeping her hydrated, fed, and as rested as possible by taking care of other household tasks. Her primary focus must be recovering after delivery and feeding the baby. Usually after a week, either moms have settled into a routine involving nursing or expressed breastmilk, or moms had discovered that it wasn’t for them. And both of these outcomes are absolutely fine! Babies are amazingly resilient.
Feed the baby, feed the mom is the crucial mantra for the first week. You will bond with your baby in so many ways – don’t worry if exclusive nursing is not the right fit for you.
CAN I SLEEP TRAIN WHLE BREASTFEEDING?
By all means, yes! This is a question I get all the time. Rest assured, the two can coexist. Whether breast or bottle fed, I always encourage full regular feedings during the day so that baby gets the recommended caloric intake before bedtime.
Sleep training is centered around routine and healthy habits that promote self-soothing so your baby or toddler can learn to fall asleep on their own. Many babies have formed a sleep association with feeding so they cannot fall asleep without it. The main focus seems to be the self-soothing aspect of sucking instead of the actual nutrition. When your baby wakes up later, they will need sucking again to fall back to sleep. You might notice they nurse for just a few minutes or take a very small volume at those middle-of-the-night feedings. I can help establish positive sleep associations and support you regardless of your feeding preferences: breast, bottle or both. Reach out today to start the conversation.
SCIENCE OF SLEEP
Chronic sleep deprivation at any age impacts mental function as well as mood and behavior. We all know the feeling – you haven’t slept well and feel “off” all day, you have trouble concentrating, generally not at your best. The quality of sleep is just as impactful as the quantity of sleep. While we sleep, all the new information taken in over the course of the day is wired and recoded in neural pathways. Without restful sleep, memory is not appropriately encoded, and it will be difficult to retrieve the information when we need it. Research suggests that during sleep, the brain removes build-up from these essential processes of learning, keeping our connections sharp and efficient. When children are chronically sleep-deprived they also experience problems with focus, impulse control and problem solving. As many as 25% of younger children are believed to suffer from poor sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness, as reported by the American Academy of Pediatrics. A 2022 study by the National Institutes of Health found that pre-teens who slept less than nine hours daily had differences in brain structure and experienced more problems with mood and thinking. The impact is serious and wide-ranging: decreased attention, impaired memory, slower processing and analyzing of information. This can lead to poor school performance and low self-esteem. In adolescents and adults, sleep deprivation often manifests as distracted driving and poor decision making.
Healthy sleep is vital to our learning and well being, for both children and their parents. I’ll create a family sleep plan to establish good sleep hygiene that gives you and your child the best possible start of the day.
BE SMART ABOUT SCREENS
The brain produces and releases the hormone melatonin which is integral to our circadian rhythm. Melatonin levels decrease during the daytime then increase at night, playing an important role in our sleep/wake cycles. Not only does blue light exposure from screen use in the evening interfere with our natural melatonin levels and make it harder to fall asleep, but that sleep will be lower quality. Insufficient or poor quality sleep can lead to problems with focus, learning and mood. Cell phones and personal devices are part of our daily lives but can be used responsibly to promote healthy habits.
Keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatrics calls for no screen time at all for children until 18 to 24 months, except for video chatting, and says kids ages 2 to 5 should get an hour or less of screen time per day.
I strongly recommend their guidelines for families as found on HealthyChildren.org:
Stop use of devices or screens for 1 hour before bedtime. Do not let your children sleep with devices such as smartphones.
Discourage entertainment media while doing homework.
Plan media-free times together, such as family dinners.
Decide on media-free, unplugged locations in homes, such as bedrooms.
Engage in family activities that promote well-being, such as sports, reading, and talking with each other.
Set a good example. Turn off the TV and put your smartphone on “do not disturb” during media-free times with your family.
SLEEP IN OLDER CHILDREN
Toddlers and preschoolers are mastering all kinds of new developmental challenges – self-expression, motor skills and coordination, not to mention social interaction. As they learn to control their reactions and emotions, the entire family may experience bedtime blues. Relax – you will get through it! Your child is an individual and deserves an individualized approach in teaching them good sleep habits.
To set your child up for success, I’ll create a personalized strategy and healthy sleep program that takes your parenting style into account.
Parents, you are the most important role model for your child. Children thrive when they are rested and when their parents are rested. For children and adults with sleep deprivation, there is a higher risk of depression, anxiety and emotional dysregulation. Sleep problems can also manifest as hyperactivity and inattention which may mimic or exacerbate symptoms of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder. The importance of good sleep at every age and stage of development cannot be overstated, but can be tricky to navigate. While many sleep consultants focus primarily on infants, I support families with infants and toddlers all the way though tweens and teens, drawing on my experience as a parent and a pediatrician. Learn more about me and reach out to get started.
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The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. While I am a physician, I am not your child’s physician. My goal is to equip you with information to point you in the right direction rather than establish a physician-patient relationship. Please be sure to discuss your thoughts, questions, and concerns with your physician.