Parents who worry about their children’s sleep problems at risk of depression

Sleepless nights and worrying parents

Waking up in the night, waking early, and trouble falling asleep are common behavioural sleep problems that affect 20 to 30 per cent of young children. While much research has focused on the negative effects of children’s behavioural sleep problems on their own wellbeing, less attention has been paid to the effects of children’s sleep problems on their parents.

The impact on parents

Some studies have linked maternal depression to infant sleep problems, with depression scores decreasing after nurses have helped mothers improve infants’ sleep. However, only minimal attention has been given to the effects of infants’ sleep problems on fathers. Analyzing data from Canadian parents, our research team wanted to examine links between their thinking about sleep problems, mothers’ and fathers’ sleep quality, parental fatigue, and depression in the context of infants’ behavioural sleep problems.

The study’s findings

After an intervention for infants’ sleep problems, we found that mothers’ depression was associated with their sleep quality, fatigue, and thoughts about infant sleep. These thoughts included doubts about managing infant sleep, anger about infants’ sleep, and setting limits around infants’ sleep. Fathers’ depression was linked with their sleep quality, fatigue, and thoughts about infant sleep, including doubts about managing infant sleep and setting limits around infants’ sleep.

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Sleep quality and fatigue

Sleep quality and fatigue are often viewed as symptoms of maternal depression. These findings are therefore important because paternal depression has been examined less often and parental thoughts about infant sleep have been largely overlooked.

Tips for parents

How can parents prevent or reduce their feelings of depression? Parents need an opportunity to discuss their expectations and thoughts about infant sleep problems and manage them with a supportive care provider. It is important for parents trying to manage infant sleep problems to acknowledge their needs in addition to those of their children.

Healthy infant sleep habits

Healthy infants who are older than six months and feeding well during the day do not need to wake frequently at night to feed or have their parents resettle them several times a night. Parents who are trying to help their infants learn to self-soothe are improving their infants’ wellbeing by preventing longer-term sleep problems linked to increased risk for children’s psychological problems, cognitive difficulties, and obesity.

Family and friends can help

For parents living with a partner, taking turns to manage infant sleep problems can permit the other parent to get some uninterrupted sleep, which is important. Enlisting support from family members and friends so that parents can get more rest can also reduce parents’ risks of depression. Spending quality time with infants during the day and on weekends can help parents appreciate the loving and supportive relationships they have with their children and reduce their concerns about neglecting their children during the night.

Conclusion

Parents who worry about their children’s sleep problems are at risk of depression. Helping parents manage their children’s behavioural sleep problems can improve the quality of infants’ and parents’ lives alike. By acknowledging their needs and managing infant sleep problems with a supportive care provider, parents can reduce their feelings of depression and improve their overall wellbeing.

FAQs

Q: What are the common symptoms of children’s sleep problems?
A: Common symptoms of children’s sleep problems include waking up in the night, waking early, and trouble falling asleep.

Q: How common are children’s sleep problems?
A: Children’s sleep problems affect 20 to 30 per cent of young children.

Q: What are the effects of children’s sleep problems on parents?
A: Children’s sleep problems can have a negative impact on parents, including increased stress, fatigue, and depression.

Q: How can parents help their children learn to self-soothe?
A: Parents can help their children learn to self-soothe by establishing a consistent bedtime routine, creating a sleep-friendly environment, and avoiding overstimulation before bedtime.

Q: What are some signs of depression in parents?
A: Some signs of depression in parents include changes in appetite, sleep patterns, and mood, as well as feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and helplessness.