There is a prevailing culture, both within society and among certain health professionals, that accepts sleep deprivation as normal. Statements such as "It's typical not to sleep after having a baby" and "Babies never sleep through the night" are commonly heard, leading many families to believe that sleep deprivation is expected. Consequently, they may not seek professional help, allowing the issue to persist and have long-term effects on the baby, the mother, and the entire family.
Sleep plays a vital role in the health and proper growth of children. A restful night's sleep is crucial for individuals of all ages, with particular importance during childhood as it directly influences their development.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, a prominent American organisation specialized in sleep health, sleeping is as important as food and hygiene, as, in addition to helping with intellectual development, it is during this period of rest that the body releases growth hormones.
Ellen Balielo Manfrim, a neuropaediatrician, neurophysiologist and director of the Integrar Clinic, in São Paulo, Brazil, emphasizes that during sleep, the child's body and brain go through processes of growth, memory consolidation, regulation hormonal and cellular repair. It is during sleep that the child's body performs its most relevant restorative functions. Sleep also plays a very important role in mental health, as it reduces stress, which improves concentration and helps to consolidate the information received during the day, thus facilitating learning. Therefore, adequate quality and quantity of sleep are essential for the healthy development of children
IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH
A study conducted at Birmingham University, England, identified mental health problems in adolescence were related to poor sleep quality in childhood. The study analysed data from approximately 14,000 babies and showed that inadequate sleep is associated with an increased incidence of borderline disorder. Furthermore, according to research, impaired sleep is also related to the development of depression, particularly around the age of 10.
Another study carried out at the University of Maryland, in the United States, found that children who do not sleep enough have more psychological and behavioural problems, compared to those who sleep the required number of hours.
After two years of studies, it was found that children who slept less presented aspects such as impulsivity, stress, depression, anxiety, and aggressive behaviour, in addition to impairments in cognitive functions, which affect learning and decision-making.
The Brazilian Society of Paediatrics (SBP) highlights the negative effects of poor sleep quality as pubertal delay, anxiety, depression, slow reasoning, irritability, reduced cognitive abilities and memory impairment.
Therefore, it is evident that the recurrent lack of sleep quality during childhood is extremely harmful to mental health, directly affecting adolescence and adulthood.
IMPACT ON DEVELOPMENT
During the first 2 years of life is the period of greatest brain development in the process of children's learning and intellectual development. Within the first year alone, a child acquires skills like eating, playing, rolling over, crawling, communicating, and many more essential tasks.
On the other hand, when a child does not have the quantity and quality of sleep they need, they will not behave like an adult. Similar to an adult, they will experience tiredness, but in addition they can also display irritability, trouble concentrating, hyperactivity, and a decreased interest in activities.
Over time, sleep deprivation not only affects neuromotor development, but can also impact mental health. Additionally, reduces the production of various hormones, which can lead to obesity, underdevelopment of muscles and a weakened immune system.
SLEEP TIME
The required hours of sleep vary according to the age. Based on thorough research, the National Sleep Foundation developed a reference guide outlining the average hours of sleep needed for each age group:
It's important to emphasize that apart from the duration of sleep, the quality of sleep is equally important. Consider whether the child is experiencing restful and undisturbed sleep. Is the baby having a restoring sleep? Therefore, it's essential for the family to observe the child and establish a consistent sleep routine!
Above all, you need to understand that your child is one-of-a-kind. Knowing how sleep influences your child's development and what adjustments you need to make to your routine, always respecting your family's reality (and wishes), will help your child sleep and develop better.
If you're interested in learning more about infant sleep, get in touch with us today. It's a crucial first step toward getting more restful and improved sleep!
Did you like this post? Be sure to share it!
Comments