PRP017: The Possums Sleep Intervention Part 1

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:09 — 19.9MB) | Embed

Subscribe: RSS | Stitcher

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

Please subscribe, rate and share!

Subscribe: iTunes, RSS, or Stitcher

Please leave a review: in iTunes, and Stitcher

Share: Tweet, Facebook page

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.