Babies who sleep badly ‘risk being overweight’

NEWBORNS who sleep longer and wake up less through the night are less likely to be overweight, a study has found.

The research, which was based on observations of 298 infants, showed that just one extra hour of sleep was linked with a 26 per cent decrease in excess weight.

A similar result was found among babies who woke up less through the night.

While the link is well-established in adults and older children it had not been recognised before in infants.

The US researchers said it was unclear exactly why the correlation existed. But they speculated that more sleep promoted routine feeding practices and

‘Routine feeding practices’

self-regulation – factors that help prevent overeating.

Co-author Susan Redline, from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said: ‘This study underscores the importance of healthy sleep at all ages.

‘Parents should consult their paediatricians on the best practices to promote healthy sleep, like keeping consistent sleep schedules, providing a dark and quiet space for sleeping and avoiding having bottles in bed.’

The researchers monitored sleep patterns using ankle watches that measure patterns of rest and activity.

The findings were published in the journal Sleep.