Genetics Responsible for Babies’ Sleep Habits, Study Finds
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Comstock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Few things are more peaceful than a sleeping baby. But if your little one has trouble staying in dreamland, research says there may be little that you can do about it.
Experts say that how well babies are able to sleep is primarily based on their genes, according to a study looking at a thousand Canadian twins. The study is published in the journal Pediatrics.
There is a silver lining, though. The study’s findings encourage parents to hold on until baby is 18 months old. That’s when environmental factors — such as bedtime routine — start to play a role in how kids sleep. And that’s your chance to try to manage your child’s sleep habits.
Furthermore, for parents looking for a chance to sneak in an afternoon nap, the study authors say children’s daytime napping habits are strongly influenced by their environment rather than their genes.
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