Sleep Difficulties, Sleep Duration, and Sleeping Place in Early Childhood: A Longitudinal Study on Stability and...

This longitudinal study examined the association between sleep duration, sleep difficulties, and sleeping place at one year (t1) and corresponding characteristics at 4/5 years of age (t2).

Data were collected from 2018 to 2021 (t1) and from 2021 to 2024 (t2) in the LIFE Child cohort study conducted in Leipzig, Germany. Parents completed the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire at t1 and the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire at t2. Associations between sleep characteristics at t1 and t2 were estimated using linear and logistic regression models. All associations were adjusted for child sex, age at t2, and maternal education.

The analyses showed significant associations between shorter sleep durations, later sleep onset times, more frequent nightly awakenings and bed sharing and room sharing at t1 and more sleep difficulties at t2. A shorter sleep duration at t2 was predicted by shorter sleep and more parent-perceived sleep difficulties at t1. Bed sharing and room sharing at t1 were significantly associated with a lower probability of sleeping alone at t2.

These results indicate that sleep duration, sleep difficulties, and sleeping places are already stable in early childhood.