Is Sleep as Important as Diet?
As someone who has studied both nutrition and sleep, this is one of my favorite questions! I obviously place a high priority on sleep as a sleep consultant because I am extremely passionate about its benefits for babies (and parents!).
But is that passion for sleep interfering here, or is there evidence backing why I support healthy sleep habits so strongly? I’m SO glad you asked!
Make no mistake, I am one of the biggest believers that feeding our children a healthy, balanced, and varied diet is essential to their growth and well-being. I might even say it’s the MOST important factor when it comes to their health, and maybe even our own.
But sleep is, if not equally as important for health, an extremely close second.
Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern, and children who are obese are more likely to grow into obese adults, which can increase health risks across the board – including cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, cancers, arthritis, and more.
In 2008, the National Institute of Health performed a study looking at the average daily hours of sleep children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years were getting and compared those against the occurrences of obesity. The children who had a average of less than 12 hours a day were more that two times as likely to be obese than children who slept for 12 or more hours. A larger study performed in the UK produced similar results.
With the health risks and general quality of life concerns that can result from obesity, I feel that sleep should be a major concern for parents and not one that is brushed under the rug “because they are babies.” Everyday I hear about people advising new parents with what is supposed to be reassuring rhetoric, but I think it’s upsetting!
“Follow your baby’s lead, they know how much sleep they need.”
“Babies sleep when they want, don’t force it.”
“Not sleeping is normal for a baby.”
What if those pieces of advice were about a baby’s diet?
“Babies know what is healthy to eat, just follow their lead.”
“Your child will eat when they’re ready, don’t schedule mealtimes.”
“Eating nothing is totally normal.”
If you heard someone give you that advice, I highly doubt you would adopt such strategies for your children.
In fact, if your baby struggles with eating well, establishing healthy sleep patterns often improves their feedings! They have more energy to eat efficiently and can take a full feed because they are not likely to fall asleep or run low on energy in the middle of eating. And when babies and children get the nourishment they need, they can also get the quality sleep their body needs. See how they naturally go hand in hand?
As parents, we want our children to live active, healthy lives and provide every advantage possible to give them a solid start. Prioritizing sleep and teaching independent sleep skills is just one way you can promote health for their entire life!
