Is Sleep as Important as Diet?

I’m sure you can guess what my answer is to this question! Well I am after all a pediatric sleep consultant. I tend to put a high priority on sleep and I am justifiably passionate about its benefits for babies and their parents.

But is my passion for sleep clouding my view on this matter, or is there evidence to support my position? I am SO sure many of you might ask this question…

Now let me tell you this. I’m a firm believer that feeding our kids a healthy, balanced, varied diet is essential to their well-being. I might even go so far as to say that it’s the single most important factor when it comes to our children’s health.

But sleep is, if not equally as important, a very close contender.

Childhood obesity is a huge public health issue, and I’m sure you know about the myriad health issues that come along with obesity. (But just in case you’re not familiar, they include diabetes, heart disease, all kinds of cancer, osteoarthritis, and joint inflammation, just to name a few.)

But what does sleep have to do with obesity? I’m glad you asked…

A 2008 study by the National Institute of Health looked at the average number of daily hours of sleep that kids between 6 months and two years old were getting, and then compared those results with their occurrences of obesity. The children who got an average of less than 12 hours of sleep a day were over twice as likely to be obese than those who slept for 12 or more. A much larger study done in the UK showed similar results.

In addition, A rapidly growing body of evidence suggests that memory consolidation and brain processes are optimally engaged during sleep. A study by Stickgold R¹, Walker MP in Trends Neurosci. 2005 Aug;28(8):408-15.Memory consolidation and reconsolidation: What is the role of sleep?

Finally, it has been shown that there is an influence of sleep patterns on brain development which may predict individual differences in later cognitive function. by (Gertner et al., 2002)

With all of the health issues, as well as the general quality of life concerns that come along with bad sleeping habits, it seems to me that sleep should be a major concern for parents.

However, every day I hear people advising new parents with what I’m sure is meant to be reassuring rhetoric, but I must admit, I find it really upsetting!

“Babies sleep when they want to sleep. Don’t force it.”
“Not sleeping is totally normal for a baby.”
“Just follow your baby’s lead. They know how much sleep they need.”

Can you imagine this same kind of talk if it was concerning baby’s diet???

“Babies know what’s healthy to eat. Just follow their lead.”
“Eating chocolate is totally normal for babies.”
“Kids will eat when they’re ready. You shouldn’t schedule mealtimes.”