The Importance of Holistic-Based Sleep Coaching in Addressing Baby and Child Sleep Challenges

This informal CPD article, ‘The Importance of Holistic-Based Sleep Coaching in Addressing Baby and Child Sleep Challenges’ was provided by Fox and The Moon, an infant sleep support service helping parents of babies, toddlers & children solve their sleep challenges. 

Sleep is often seen as one of the most challenging aspects of parenting. While conventional sleep coaching methods emphasise sleep duration and behavioural aspects, holistic sleep coaching broadens the perspective to address the quality of sleep and the underlying causes of sleep disturbances and how parents can support and improve that, without leaving their children to cry. (1. McKenna & McDade, 2005)

Focusing on factors like, but not limited to, oral function, birth trauma, diet, and nutrition allows for a comprehensive, responsive approach. Here, we’ll explore the importance of each of these factors in supporting healthy sleep for infants and children.

Quality of Sleep vs. Duration of Sleep

It’s commonly thought that a full night’s sleep equates to quality rest. However, holistic sleep coaching recognises that multiple sleep disturbances to a child often holds clues in the rest of their sleep pattern and their wellbeing. (1. McKenna & McDade, 2005) While sleep duration does matter, especially for developing bodies and brains, the depth and continuity of sleep—often referred to as sleep quality—play equally vital roles. But what is often left out of the conversation is just how normal it is, especially for a young infant, to wake overnight.

Newborns and young infants have high nutritional demands to support their rapid physical and neurological growth (3. Brown & Harries, 2015) Babies have small stomachs that cannot hold large amounts of milk. This makes frequent feeding essential, especially in the early months when their stomachs are even smaller.

The high calorie and nutrient requirements for growth mean that many infants will need to continue feeding overnight, even after they reach 6 months of age, to maintain adequate intake. This is particularly true for breastfed infants, whose milk digests more quickly than formula, (3. Brown & Harries, 2015). not because it isn’t as nutrient dense (quite the opposite in fact) but because formula is harder to digest and stays in the gut for longer.

Studies on infant sleep and feeding patterns reveal that night wakings are normal across various cultures and are generally observed in babies up to 12 months of age, and sometimes beyond, as they grow and their nutritional needs vary. (3.Brown & Harries, 2015).

Frequent night waking is also a protective factor against SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). (2. American Academy of Paediatrics Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, 2016) Babies have underdeveloped nervous systems and require certain stimuli to maintain regular breathing patterns and heart rates during sleep.

Infants naturally spend more time in lighter sleep stages (active or REM sleep) than adults, which increases their likelihood of waking more frequently. Studies have shown that infants in lighter sleep are more easily aroused, which may act as a protective mechanism to prevent prolonged periods of apnoea (pauses in breathing). (1. McKenna & McDade, 2005)

Night wakings help stimulate regular breathing. For instance, feeding sessions and brief arousals can reduce the risk of breathing issues by reinforcing the baby's awareness of breathing and encouraging oxygen intake during critical stages of sleep. (1. McKenna & McDade, 2005). When babies wake for feeding, they are often held or repositioned by their caregivers, which can further reduce risks associated with SIDS. Bed-sharing or room-sharing, when done safely, allows parents to monitor and respond more quickly to their infants’ needs, providing an additional layer of protection. (2. American Academy of Paediatrics Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, 2016).

High-quality sleep supports optimal development in infants and young children by promoting proper cognitive, emotional, and physical growth. Inadequate sleep quality can lead to issues like frequent night waking, early rising, and restless sleep, even if total sleep hours appear sufficient (1. McKenna & McDade, 2005) but what we must remember is that if we explore why the sleep quality is affected, we can build a bigger picture around that child’s wellbeing and how much sleep can improve when we do so. A holistic sleep approach examines factors that could impact the depth and continuity of sleep, leading to better long-term outcomes.

Oral Function: A Vital Yet Overlooked Component

Oral function, which includes the way a child’s tongue, jaw, and palate work together, can significantly impact sleep quality. Issues with oral function, such as tongue-tie, lip-tie, or even inefficient sucking patterns, may interfere with a child’s ability to breathe easily during sleep. For example:

• Restricted Airflow: Conditions like tongue-tie can cause restricted airflow, leading to mouth breathing or snoring, both of which can disrupt sleep cycles.
• Interrupted Sleep Patterns: Babies with oral function issues may experience fragmented sleep due to difficulties in soothing themselves effectively or nursing comfortably, causing repeated waking.

Holistic sleep coaching includes a detailed look at oral function. When necessary, a referral to specialists in paediatric dentistry, a tongue tie practitioner, myofunctional therapist, or lactation consulting can be made to address these challenges. By understanding and addressing oral function, parents and practitioners can help children achieve more restful and restorative sleep.

Birth Trauma: Recognising the Lingering Effects on Sleep

Birth is a significant event in a child's life, and for some, it can be traumatic. Experiences such as long or difficult labours, medical interventions, or emergency procedures may leave lasting effects on a baby’s nervous system. Often, the physical and emotional impacts of birth trauma are reflected in a baby’s sleep behaviour. (1. McKenna & McDade, 2005)

Babies who experienced traumatic births might be more alert or sensitive to their environment, causing difficulty in settling and staying asleep. Birth trauma can also result in physical misalignments or tension, which may make sleep positions uncomfortable or cause restlessness.

A holistic approach to sleep coaching acknowledges the importance of birth history, including the emotional and physical aspects. Tools like gentle bodywork therapies (e.g., craniosacral therapy or infant massage) can help release tension, allowing for a calmer, more regulated sleep experience.

Diet and Nutrition

The role of diet and nutrition in sleep quality is another key focus in holistic sleep coaching. Both what and when children eat can influence their sleep patterns and comfort levels. Several aspects of diet are considered:

• Ensuring children have a diet that maintains stable blood sugar levels can prevent mid-sleep hunger cues or waking due to dips in blood sugar.
• Some foods can trigger sensitivities or allergies, leading to discomfort and sleep disruptions. Holistic practitioners assess dietary factors that could be impacting digestion and sleep, and they may suggest modifications to reduce irritants.
• A lack of essential nutrients, such as magnesium, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, may contribute to poor sleep quality and even behavioural challenges. Addressing deficiencies through diet can significantly improve sleep consistency and quality.

By taking a holistic approach to nutrition and its impact on sleep, sleep coaches can provide personalised support that addresses the unique dietary needs of each child, thereby helping to optimise sleep.

The Holistic Difference: Why It Matters

A holistic approach to sleep coaching is just not simply about avoiding conventional sleep training; it’s about creating a responsive, child-centred framework that respects the child’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs. Rather than focusing on behaviour, holistic sleep coaching emphasises the underlying factors that could contribute to sleep challenges. Here are a few benefits of this approach:

• Empowered Parents: Parents are given a deeper understanding of their child’s unique needs and how to address them. Rather than implementing rigid methods, parents learn to respond effectively to signs of discomfort, hunger, or sensory needs.
• Long-Term Solutions: By addressing root causes such as birth trauma, oral function, and nutrition, holistic sleep coaching fosters sustainable sleep patterns that evolve as the child grows.
• Emotional Resilience: Gentle, supportive sleep methods reinforce secure attachment, which can have a positive effect on emotional development. Children are supported in feeling safe, comforted, and valued, promoting a foundation of trust.

Holistic sleep coaching is about providing the support and guidance that respects each child’s individual journey. By examining sleep quality, oral function, birth trauma, diet, and nutrition, parents and practitioners can create an environment that fosters restful sleep in a way that aligns with the child’s well-being and natural development.

Holistic sleep coaching ultimately goes beyond helping children get more sleep; it empowers families with the tools to understand their child’s needs, navigate challenges, and create sustainable, healthy sleep patterns that support every aspect of their child’s growth.

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References

1. McKenna, J. J., & McDade, T. (2005). Why babies should never sleep alone: A review of the co-sleeping controversy in relation to SIDS, bedsharing and breast feeding. Paediatric Respiratory Reviews, 6(2), 134-152.
2. American Academy of Paediatrics Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. (2016). SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2016 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment. Paediatrics, 138(5).
3. Brown, A., & Harries, V. (2015). Infant sleep and night feeding patterns during later infancy: Association with breastfeeding frequency, daytime complementary food intake, and infant weight. Journal of Human Lactation, 31(4), 514-520.