Sleep is a precious commodity, especially for mothers with young children. A recent Rutgers study found that ethnically diverse mothers and their children who live at or below the poverty line are at a higher risk for developing sleep problems.
Published in the Journal of Pediatric Health Care, the study examined the sleeping patterns of 32 women and their children, ages 15 months to 5 years, living in Newark, New Jersey. The findings showed that the majority of the study’s participants struggled with poor sleep quality, and that stress, poverty, excessive screen time, and noise outside the home contribute to sleep problems for both mother and child.
“Many mothers know sleep is important for themselves and their children, which is why many learn sleep strategies from their own families—whether effective or ineffective,” said lead author Professor Barbara Caldwell, director of the Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing at Rutgers School Of Nursing. “These mothers showed enthusiasm in improving sleep habits for themselves and their children, providing an opportunity for behavioral and educational interventions that meet their unique needs.”
Read the full story in Rutgers Today.