Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Charlotte Robinson: LISTEN: How Gay And Lesbian Couples Become…
New Turnaround Teacher 'Trying To Get It Right' In Tough School
Marital Discord Disrupts Baby's Sleep, Study Finds
Filed under: Babies, In The News, Relationships, Sleep
Babies exposed to marital discord have more trouble sleeping. Credit: Getty Images
Your infant has trouble sleeping, so you're up half the night. This makes you cranky, irritable and short-tempered with your spouse.
And guess what? Researchers say babies exposed to marital discord have more trouble sleeping.
Face it. You can't win. You may now whimper pitifully if you wish. Researchers at Oregon State University would understand.
They studied more than 350 families with adopted babies ages 9 to 18 months. They stuck with adopted babies to make sure parents and children didn't share any genetic behaviors or personality traits.
"Our findings suggest that the effects of marital instability on children's sleep problems emerge earlier in development than has been demonstrated previously," researcher Anne Mannering, an instructor of human development at Oregon State University, says in a press release. "Parents should be aware that marital stress may affect the well-being of their children even in the first year or two of life."
Researchers wanted to confirm that marital problems, such as parents thinking about divorce, affected children's sleep later in their infancy. They found parental bickering when a child is 9 months old can affect his or her sleep nine months later.
And Manning says problems can manifest themselves much later than that. They can "correlate with problems in school, inattention and behavioral issues," she says in the release.
Marital instability was measured with such survey questions as, "Has the thought of separating or getting a divorce crossed your mind?" (If the answer is yes, by the way, don't worry. That just means you're married.)
Researchers also found no link between sleepless infants and parents' relationship problems. Then again, they probably reached that conclusion after a good night's sleep.
Want to get the latest ParentDish news and advice? Sign up for our newsletter!
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- When my 9 yr old daughter came home from school real upset, because kids at school can be so mean verbal, I told her the old saying. "Sticks and stone...
- I cant be the only resposible parent that has a child age 3 who is creative enough to escape the house. I have put up multiple barriers and if even on...
- Dealing with being a single mom
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Basics of Baby Sleep Training
In this video, baby sleep expert Suzy Giordano (aka the “Babycoach”) guides you in training your baby to eat every 3-4 hours during the day, sleep 12 hours at night and sleep 3 hours during the day. This video is designed for first time parents or parents who wish to take a different path with their next children.
-
Changes in the Baby Sleep Training Routine
In this video, baby sleep expert Suzy Giordano (aka the “Babycoach”) discusses the changes in your baby's sleep routine.
-
Different Methods of Baby Sleep Training
In this video, baby sleep expert Suzy Giordano (aka the “Babycoach”) discusses the different types of methods for a baby sleep routine.
-
Baby Sleep Training - Weeks 1 to 6
In this video, baby sleep expert Suzy Giordano (aka the “Babycoach”) guides you in training your baby to sleep when they are one to six weeks old.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family