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| The latest sleep study from Flinders University
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Sleep disruption and sleep problems in babies is one of the leading causes of postnatal depression in new mums. The exhaustion of broken sleep can cause significant family distress, with parents often feeling there is no end in sight.
Sleep is essential for everyone, especially growing children, and there are a multitude of opinions out there on what is best to do to achieve that elusive 'sleep through the night' stage.
In recent years letting babies cry themselves to sleep has been widely criticised, with many baby experts claiming it can cause emotional, behavioural and attachment issues. However, a new study led by Flinders University has found that 'cry it out' methods of sleep training may not cause the upset that was originally being claimed.
Research conducted at the sleep laboratory at Flinders University found that controlled crying (or graduated extinction), and another sleep education method called 'bedtime fading' can actually improve babies' and parents' sleeping patterns, without any adverse effects on families.
43 infants with night-time sleep problems took part in a randomised trial, using both the 'graduated extinction' method and the gentler 'bedtime fading' method, where parents gradually delay bedtime each night in the aim that sleepier babies will fall asleep more easily.
The babies in the gradual extinction group fell asleep an average of 13 minutes sooner and woke significantly less often during the night, than those in the control group. The study found there were no significant differences in stress levels based on salivary cortisol readings from the babies, in measurements of parent-child attachment, or in parental stress or mood.
The babies in the bedtime fading group showed a 10-minute decrease in the amount of time it took them to fall asleep, but they woke a similar number of times in the night, compared to the control group.
At a 12-month follow up for the participants, there were no significant differences found in attachment styles, or emotional and behavioural problems.
"It's natural for parents to worry about having their babies cry at bedtime," says Associate Professor Gradisar, who worked on the study.
"A combination of using bedtime fading first, then moving on to graduated extinction could be another good approach," he explains.
"We hope parents of children 6-16 months can become more aware of bedtime fading which helps babies fall asleep at the start of the night.
"It may not resolve awakenings during the night so if a child is waking up several times a night, then there is now some more evidence that graduated extinction is a technique that may not be harmful to their child."
The study didn't take into account co-sleeping, due to safety risks.
Associate Professor Gradisar says parents can seek medical advice if they know in themselves whether their child has a sleep problem.
"If sleeplessness is associated with some form of daytime impairment, not just in the individual but also other family members, then this is an indication of a sleep problem."
The full study is published in the June edition of American Paediatrics, and will hopefully help tired parents rest a little easier.
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