Contents:
- Medical Video: Still Face Experiment: Dr. Edward Tronick
- Children sleep together with parents every night, this is the effect on mothers
- Sleep deprivation and mental disorders are interrelated
- Then, what should parents do?
Medical Video: Still Face Experiment: Dr. Edward Tronick
For most parents in Indonesia, letting a small child sleep alone in his or her room may not be a common thing. Moreover, sleeping together in the same room is also felt to save time and energy than having to go back and forth to different rooms when the child wakes up in the middle of the night due to nightmares or starvation. However, did you know that getting children to sleep together with their parents even though they are old enough to be able to sleep alone will have a bad influence on the health of the mother?
Children sleep together with parents every night, this is the effect on mothers
Not all parents to the heart to let their children sleep alone all night. That's why there are still many parents who allow their children to sleep together on the same bed.
On the one hand, sleeping with parents can support the child's physical and mental well-being. Children will cry less because they feel comfortable and safe, also better control stress. This is all thanks to the interwoven bond between parents and children.
But when your baby's age has started to grow more mature, it's good that you start training and getting children to sleep in their own rooms. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics turned out to have potential adverse effects especially for the mental health of the mother if she continued to allow children to sleep with parents on the same bed.
Small children, especially those aged 12-23 months, are an age group that still has difficulty sleeping soundly. They still like to wake up in the middle of the night whether because of hunger, bedwetting, or fear. Most small children also include being active even when sleeping. They may roll, kick, hit, and turn their bodies in all directions.
Well, various issues of sleep tonight tend to make their mothers wake up. Researchers found that mothers who go back and forth woke up in the middle of the night because of their "doing" (whether intentionally or not) reported experiencing symptoms of stress, anxiety disorders, even depression. These mothers also experience a shortage of sleep until about 1 hour while sleeping with the child.
On the other hand, mothers who have trained their children to sleep in their own rooms do not experience such things.
Sleep deprivation and mental disorders are interrelated
Sleep deprivation is indeed not a direct cause of psychiatric disorders. However, there have been many studies out there that report various detrimental effects of sleep deprivation related to our mental condition.
Collecting various studies, the average person who has chronic insomnia can have a four-fold risk of suffering from depression. Another study found that sleep problems occur before the onset of depression.
Mental disorder itself is also closely related to the problem of difficulty sleeping. Experts find that symptoms of mental disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders can worsen insomnia and other sleep problems.
Then, what should parents do?
The health of each family member is equally important. So, in addition to ensuring that the child can get enough and sleep well, you also have to ensure the same for yourself and your partner. But how?
The solution is to no longer familiarize children with their parents in the same room. Teach children to start sleeping alone. Train the child slowly until he gets used to it. Initially you can separate children from your bed, but still in the same room. If you are getting used to it, you can separate your sleeping room with your little one.
When teaching children to sleep in their own rooms, you also do not need to linger with him. Just send your child to his bedroom, read stories if necessary, and say good night. You can give dolls or other toys that your child likes as a sleeping friend. As soon as your child seems to be slowing down, you may return to the private bedroom to rest comfortably.
Getting children to sleep in their own rooms means training children to live independently and bravely. But if the child's sleep problems even more severe to even affect your health and your partner, you should consult further to the doctor to find the best solution.
