The hormone Melatonin produced in the pineal gland regulates sleep. It does so using the initial building block of tryptophan which is an omega 3 fatty acid. This initial and important building block is present in breast milk. Mum's circadian rythm is usually well established and it is interesting that a study looking at the levels of this important omega 3 in breast milk has found that mum's circadian rythm has an effect on the amount of "sleep related hormone" secreted in breast milk.
Sleep efficiency in babies of 12 weeks, both only breast fed and those who were formula fed was measured over a week and it was found that assumed sleep, actual sleep and sleep efficiency was significantly better in exclusively breast fed babies.
It follows that breast fed babies are already learning to develop a circadian rythm which is parallel to that of mum. The levels of tryptophan which fluctuate to follow mum's rythm are starting to "train" baby.
Another study investigated the relationship between exposure to light and 24-h patterns of sleep and crying in young, healthy, full-term babies living at home and following a normal domestic routine. Babies were monitored across three consecutive days at 6, 9 and 12 weeks of age. There was an early evening peak in crying which was associated with reduced sleep at 6 weeks. Across the trials there was a gradual shift towards a greater proportion of sleep occurring at night. Sleeping well at 6 weeks was a good indication of more night-time sleep at 9 and 12 weeks. Babies who slept well at night were exposed to significantly more light in the early afternoon period. These data suggest that light in the normal domestic setting influences the development of the circadian system.
Both of these studies demonstrate the ability of babies to "learn" a circadian rythm and confirm that encouraging naps in normal daylight will improve infants night sleep patterns.
If you would like information and advice on training your baby to sleep
Contact Dream-Angus.com
Showing posts with label training in sleep issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label training in sleep issues. Show all posts
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Doing it "by the book!"
Children's sleep problems have become a popular topic. Not with the parents who experience sleep deprivation, but with a number of persons from different medical or paramedical backgrounds. It can be really difficult weeding out the ones who genuinely know something that will help you and your child, from those who are out to make a fast buck.
Sleep problems have been investigated and solutions tried in many countries, perhaps the USA has the largest number of blogs and sites related to these issues. The medical staff there have had a prolonged exposure to literature about children and their sleep issues.
In the UK the first real training on Children's Sleep became available through Sleep Scotland in the late 1990's. A mum who had experienced the problems of trying to live and sleep with a child who wouldn't/couldn't sleep, decided she had to find an answer that would help her and her son. Having researched and networked throughout the UK she decided to set up a programme that would help others resolve the issues their children had. This was the begining of a realistic view of children's sleep patterns and how to resolve them without resorting to medication.
Sleep Scotland now trains not only staff in Scotland but across the UK. The methods used to help parents and their children are all researched and evidence based. Many knowledgeable and highly experienced Pediatricans and Pediatric Nurologists offer their skills and knowledge to train interested parties.
Books on parenting and books on Sleep issues are very general. They have to be. They are available to everyone and cannot determine each individual situation. Of course there are solutions to some challenges that are effective in many situations. That does not make them right for you and your child. The training and experience of people who have worked in this field for many years, highlights the effectiveness of an individual plan, tailored to the child and family. A plan that takes account of the lifestyle and parenting styles of the family is always going to be more effective than a "one size fits all" approach.
If you would like more information or help to resolve your childs sleep problem,
contact Dream-Angus.com. We have the skills and the experience to help you.
Sleep problems have been investigated and solutions tried in many countries, perhaps the USA has the largest number of blogs and sites related to these issues. The medical staff there have had a prolonged exposure to literature about children and their sleep issues.
In the UK the first real training on Children's Sleep became available through Sleep Scotland in the late 1990's. A mum who had experienced the problems of trying to live and sleep with a child who wouldn't/couldn't sleep, decided she had to find an answer that would help her and her son. Having researched and networked throughout the UK she decided to set up a programme that would help others resolve the issues their children had. This was the begining of a realistic view of children's sleep patterns and how to resolve them without resorting to medication.
Sleep Scotland now trains not only staff in Scotland but across the UK. The methods used to help parents and their children are all researched and evidence based. Many knowledgeable and highly experienced Pediatricans and Pediatric Nurologists offer their skills and knowledge to train interested parties.
Books on parenting and books on Sleep issues are very general. They have to be. They are available to everyone and cannot determine each individual situation. Of course there are solutions to some challenges that are effective in many situations. That does not make them right for you and your child. The training and experience of people who have worked in this field for many years, highlights the effectiveness of an individual plan, tailored to the child and family. A plan that takes account of the lifestyle and parenting styles of the family is always going to be more effective than a "one size fits all" approach.
If you would like more information or help to resolve your childs sleep problem,
contact Dream-Angus.com. We have the skills and the experience to help you.
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