PRP017: The Possums Sleep Intervention Part 1

Show Notes: Possums Sleep Intervention Part 1

Dr Koa Whittingham (A collaborator on the Possums Sleep Intervention - www.possumsonline.com) shares some wonderful information about the Possums sleep intervention, and how it differs from typical behavioural approaches, and normalising approaches.
Summary

Behavioural interventions in the first 6 months have very limited impact:

e.g. Falling asleep in the cot (as opposed to in arms)
1 less episode of waking every two nights.
No evidence of long term benefits.
Can negatively impact breast-feeding.
Behavioural psychology world view.


Normalisation Approach.

It is normal for babies to wake many times a night and need to feed multiple times per night.
4th trimester.
Most children will be sleeping through by their second birthday - wait it out.


Possum's Sleep Intervention - Middle ground.

Agree with the normalisation approach and
Optimise sleep for mother and baby.
Help parents to get through the early years.
Incorporates behavioural psychology, biology of sleep, and lactation science.
Biology of Sleep

Circadian Rhythm/Clock

Sleep doesn't breed sleep - long naps during the day can confuse the circadian clock.
Darkened or artificially quiet room during nap time can artificially lengthen daytime naps.
Sleep consolidation at night can occur earlier than 3 months.


Sleep Homeostat - Longer awake = higher need for sleep.


Anxiety and stress can interfere with ability to sleep.



Links

Possums Sleep Intervention: Possums Online, and Feed your baby to sleep - The possums sleep intervention new recommendations
The Discontented Little Baby book by Dr Pamela Douglas
First step in any good sleep intervention (understanding sleep biology):  www.practicalresearchparenting.com/firststeps or sign up by clicking here.
Parenting from the Heart: www.koawhittingham.com.
Becoming Mum book by Dr Koa Whittingham



For more great resources on Mindfulness and ACT for parents, check out these links:

Free Mindfulness Meditation App for pregnant couples: Mind the Bump .Org .Au
9 Tips for Mindful Mothering
ACT: Taking Hurt to Hope – Struggling with attachment with Newborns

This is the 4th Episode in the series, here are links to the rest of the series:

PRP014: Angry Parents Part 1 Acting inline with values despite anger
PRP015: Angry Parents Part 2 Acting inline with values despite anger
PRP016: Becoming a Mother
PRP017: The Possums Sleep Intervention Part 1
PRP018: The Possums Sleep Intervention Part 2
PRP019: The Possums Sleep Intervention Part 3
PRP020: The Possums Sleep Intervention Part 4

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Have you felt pressured by common advice around baby sleep? Have you attended Possums? Or Read Dr Pamela Douglas' book? Please start a discussion below.