Expert Angle: Pediatric Sleep and Advice for Struggling Parents

A new sleep schedule can be one of the most difficult adjustments for parents of infants. Jodi Mindell, PhD, professor of psychology, is a leading international expert in the field of pediatric sleep. She is the author of four books and 130 papers on the subject and has travelled nationally and internationally to present at conferences. She is currently the chair of the Pediatric Sleep Council and has worked to create babysleep.com, a comprehensive site visited by over 3.5 million people globally. 

In recognition of Sleep Awareness Week, SJU News spoke with Mindell about the importance of pediatric sleep, her advice for struggling parents and the most common sleep misconception.

Why is sleep so developmentally important for children? 

We know that sleep affects every aspect of well-being, whether that be mood, cognitive ability or health — there’s a high risk of obesity in children who are waking up multiple times in the night or not getting enough sleep. It affects behavior, as children either become overactive when they’re overtired or they withdraw from the world, and it affects families. When a child of any age isn’t sleeping, it affects everyone in the family, and studies show that it puts parents at more risk for depression and partner dissatisfaction. 

Are there any misconceptions about pediatric sleep that you want to correct? 

The biggest misconception I see is that if you have a child who has difficulties with sleep, it’s going to be that way forever. The truth is, it’s never too late, and you can always make changes. One of the reasons I love working in pediatric sleep is that we can make such big changes for families very quickly. 

Another misconception is that good sleepers don’t wake up at all during the night. Everyone wakes up at night — the question is whether or not you’re able to return back to sleep. Children who self-soothe, or who are able to fall asleep independently, are going to be those who can go back to sleep when they wake up naturally in the night. 

What piece of advice do you have for parents struggling with their child’s sleeping habits? 

The first thing that a child needs to sleep well is to have a set sleep schedule. That means going to bed around the same time every night, waking up at the same time in the morning, and if they nap, napping at the same time every day. It sets their internal clock and makes it so melatonin is peaking at the same time every night. The second thing is a bedtime routine: three or four activities that occur every night, typically in the same order, that affect a child’s well-being and development. It often includes hygiene, like a bath or teeth-brushing; language, like storytelling or reading a book; and parent-child relationships. What we see time and time again in our studies is that babies who have a bedtime routine fall asleep faster and sleep through the night better.

What do you see as the next big area of interest in pediatric sleep studies? 

Aside from more work with bedtime routines, the field is moving more and more toward access to care. Digital health interventions are becoming more available and we’re working to educate families on how to not be inundated with all of the competing information that’s available.