#113 - Baby Sleep Science
As we finish off our series on baby sleep blogs in February, we’re about to embark on possibly the most important sleep month - March.
In a little over 2 weeks time from now, it will be World Sleep Day (March 18th). So the promotion and awareness of sleep will peak at this time.
But in 24 hours from now it is March 1st.
March 1st celebrates and acknowledges many things around the world, including:
Saint David’s Day in Wales (A very important day in our household considering my Wifey is Welshy!)
Independence Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Gradišar is Croatian - that’s where my paternal grandfather was born).
Zero Discrimination Day (a day the United Nations promotes equality).
Amongst many others that allow us to reflect on this great wide world we plant our feet on!
It’s also Baby Sleep Day - which was born in the mid-2010s …
We Got It!
Professor Jodi Mindell was uber-excited when we were making S’mores on a beach in Florida in 2015.
“We managed to buy babysleep.com”
Jodi and Erin Leichman had been working tirelessly to on their new start-up - which was everything ‘baby sleep science’.
This included a website where parents could access evidence-based information from baby sleep experts from around the world.
6 years since its inception, babysleep.com has …
Jodi and Erin managed to assemble a huge number of experts, formed an Advisory Board, and received funding from Johnson & Johnson to film a series of video FAQs from baby sleep experts …
I Can’t Sleep!
It was 4 A.M. in Florida and my jetlag was killing me! Not even the rare use of sleeping tablets was working.
So I ‘Phoned a Friend’. My best friend …
“Hey Wifey. I can’t sleep. I feel awful.”
I had the worst trip flying from Australia to Florida. I only got 1 hr sleep on the 16 hr flight from Sydney to Texas (I know this because I zoned out for about an hour whilst watching Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon on the plane).
I usually don’t fret about not getting enough sleep - but this was really pushing it.
I was getting only 3 or 4 hours sleep every night, and I was starting to notice it. The first indicator was my vocabulary. Not being about to retrieve the thing … you know … the right word.
This isn’t life threatening - but it was worrying - because I was going to be filmed in the morning answering FAQs.
I was told to smile at the end of each video. My sleep-deprived face didn’t really feel like smiling …
“If your toddler only falls asleep on the couch but not when they go to bed, then you can try a transition object, for example ….. a couch-like thing”.
The shoulders of the camera man and the producer sagged … and then they broke out in hysterical laughter.
“Couch-like thing!” the Producer laughed.
“What’s the name of that soft square thing you have on couches?” I pleaded.
“You mean cushions?” the camera man laughed and slammed his legs with his hand.
Sleep loss affects people in different ways - and sometimes at the wrong time.
Baby Sleep Day
Jodi and Erin realised that they had gathered enough baby sleep experts from around the world - across multiple time zones.
So they realised that they could have said experts answer parents questions live - all day.
And that day was March 1st.
It was a huge hit - so much so that they did it again and again.
And it’s going to happen tomorrow (if you’re reading this on Feb 28th!).
So spread the word - share this blog to those who you think could benefit - as there’s so many parents that are confused by the baby sleep advice from randos on Facebook, their own parents, parents at mothers’ groups, and even amongst health professionals.
This website outlines all the details, including which baby sleep expert will be online and when.
Things kick off in Australia, with …
Prof MG