RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF
BABY & TODDLER SLEEP
Infant sleep training provides significant benefits
- American Academy of Pediatrics
Recommended guidelines exist for the treatment of night waking in infants, and sleep training strategies recommended have a solid evidence base for improving infant sleep.
A randomised control trial has identified sustained improvements in sleep onset and reduced night wakings have been found for several treatment groups, but not for controlled groups.
Sleep training approaches and paediatric insomnia
- Journal of Pediatric Psychology
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 studies found that behavioural interventions (sleep training) are effective in treating paediatric insomnia.
Further research is required to investigate efficacy for adolescents and children with special needs.
Rest easy with infant sleep training
- Alberta College of Family Physicians
Several randomised control trials have shown that infants and children who participate in a sleep training program benefit compared to those who do not participate, with no adverse effects observed after 5 years.
Additionally, maternal mood scales were found to be significantly improved following the sleep training program.
Comparing the harms and benefits of sleep training
- American Academy of Pediatrics
An initial study investigating the effectiveness of sleep training interventions found that sleep programs are able to successfully reduce infant sleep problems and associated maternal depression.
A five year follow up has also since concluded that the strategies used within the sleep training program do not result in any harm to the child or the child-parent relationship.
The importance of tailoring sleep training approaches
- American Academy of Pediatrics
A randomised control trial highlights the importance of tailoring sleep training approaches appropriately for the child.
In particular, extinction methods should not be engage for babies and children with separation anxiety.