As parents, we all dream of those peaceful nights where our babies sleep soundly. But with so much conflicting advice out there, it can be tough to know where to focus your efforts. Here at Nanit, we're always looking for insights that can help families achieve better sleep, and our Nanit Lab research sheds light on a powerful factor: bedtime consistency.
Our recent study, conducted with over 800 parents and their infants aged 4 to 24 months, investigated the link between how much a baby's bedtime shifts and their sleep quality. Using objective auto-videosomnography (the kind of precise sleep tracking Nanit is known for), we measured infant sleep at home over two weeks. Parents also provided insights through questionnaires.
This paper was published in The Journal of Sleep Medicine. Access the full article here.
The Impact of Bedtime Variability
The results are clear and compelling:
-
Shorter Sleep: Infants with greater bedtime variability (meaning their bedtimes changed more from night to night) consistently had shorter total sleep times. This was true whether measured by the advanced video monitoring or by parent reports.
-
More Parental Visits: While a variable bedtime didn't necessarily lead to more nighttime wakings, it did correlate with increased parental interventions during the night.Ā
-
Tougher Bedtimes: The study also found a connection between greater bedtime variability and more difficulties at bedtime. Getting your little one to settle down might be harder when their bedtime is less predictable.
The Nanit Takeaway: Consistency is Key
Maintaining regular sleep patterns was associated with better sleep. This research reinforces what many sleep experts advocate for: A consistent bedtime isn't just a suggestion; it can be a foundation for better infant sleep.
For Nanit parents, this means leveraging your Nanit Insights and our Sound & Light machine to help establish and stick to a routine. Observing patterns and making small, consistent adjustments can lead to big improvements in your child's sleep duration and potentially reduce those nighttime check-ins.
Prioritizing a consistent bedtime can make a real difference in your baby's sleep journey and, by extension, your entire family's well-being.
Looking for Bedtime Tips?Ā
Learn more with Dr. Natalie Barnett's Essential 3-Step Bedtime Routine, plus expert advice on how to determine the right bedtime for your baby.
About the Researchers
The researchers included Maristella Lucchini, Michal Kahn, Monica Ordway , Lauren G. Bailes, Mirella Dapretto, Shambhavi Thakur, and Natalie Barnett
Ā
