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Bedtime routines in early childhood: prevalence, consistency, and associations with nighttime sleep

Angela D Staples1, John E Bates, Isaac T Petersen

  • 1University of Virginia.

Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development
|February 24, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Establishing a regular bedtime routine for young children promotes better sleep. Consistent routines are linked to more nightly sleep and improved sleep regulation, especially when combined with consistent daytime parenting.

Area of Science:

  • Child Development
  • Sleep Science
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Sleep regulation is crucial for early childhood development.
  • The impact of regular bedtime routines on sleep in nonclinical populations is not well understood.
  • Bedtime routines may influence sleep consolidation and nighttime awakenings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between regular bedtime routines and sleep development in young children.
  • To examine the role of bedtime routines in sleep regulation and consolidation.
  • To explore if parenting practices moderate the effect of bedtime routines on sleep.

Main Methods:

  • A community-based sample of young children was studied.
  • Adherence to bedtime routines was assessed.
  • Sleep duration (nightly sleep minutes) and awakenings were monitored.
  • Maternal parenting practices were evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Adherence to a bedtime routine was positively associated with more nightly sleep at 36 and 42 months.
  • Bedtime routine adherence predicted increased nightly sleep over a six-month period.
  • The positive effects of bedtime routines on sleep development were amplified in children whose mothers exhibited consistent daytime parenting.

Conclusions:

  • Regular bedtime routines support improved sleep duration and consolidation in young children.
  • Consistent parenting practices enhance the benefits of bedtime routines for children's sleep development.
  • Bedtime routines are a valuable tool for promoting healthy sleep in early childhood.

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