Daytime nap and nighttime breastfeeding are associated with toddlers' nighttime sleep

Sci Rep. 2021 Feb 4;11(1):3028. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-81970-6.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to examine the association between toddlers' sleep arrangements and their nighttime sleep duration and other sleep variables. For this investigation, we performed a study in which child activity and sleep levels were recorded using actigraphy. The parents of 1.5-year-old toddlers (n = 106) were asked to attach an actigraphy unit to their child's waist with an adjustable elastic belt and complete a sleep diary for 7 consecutive days. Questionnaires were used to assess the sleep arrangements of the toddlers. There was a significant negative correlation between nap duration and nighttime sleep duration, suggesting that longer nap sleep induces shorter nighttime sleep duration. Among the sleep arrangements, such as nighttime breastfeeding or co-sleeping, only nighttime breastfeeding predicted shorter nighttime sleep duration. Our findings indicate that shorter naps induce a longer nighttime sleep in 1.5-year-old toddlers while nighttime breastfeeding decreases their nighttime sleep duration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actigraphy
  • Breast Feeding*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / epidemiology*
  • Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Sleep / physiology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors