0507 Prevalence and Components of Naptime vs. Bedtime Routines in Young Children

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Bedtime routines are a well-established sleep-promoting practice for young children; however, little is known about the prevalence or components of naptime routines. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and activities (e.g., feeding, hygiene components) of home-based naptime routines for infants and toddlers. Methods Mothers of 465 infants and toddlers (4-36mos; M=18.5mos) completed an online questionnaire addressing questions about naptime routines and behaviors, as well as the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire–Revised (BISQ-R). The sample included infants (4-11.9m; n=147), younger 1-year-olds (12-17.9m; n=87), older 1-year-olds (18-23.9m; n=75), and 2-year-olds (24-36m; n=156). Results Overall, 95% (n=440) reported that their child naps at home, and 65% (n=301) indicated having a naptime routine lasting approximately half an hour (M=29.0 minutes; SD=31.0). As compared to 54% reporting a consistent naptime routine (³5 times per week), ranging from 50% in 2yos to 62% in younger-1yos, 81% had a consistent bedtime routine. Overall, mothers reported a mean 69.0% (SD=24.4) similarity between naptime and bedtime routine steps. A bath (18% at naptime vs. 90% at bedtime), washing-up (30% vs. 56%), lotion use (23% vs. 80%), breastfeeding/breastmilk (21% vs. 37%), and feeding to sleep (44.% vs. 47%) were less prevalent at naptime than bedtime.Prevalence ranges by age group were: bath 12% (2yos) to 23% (infants) at naptime and 84% (infants) to 93% (2yos) at bedtime; washing-up, 28% (infants) to 34% (older-1yos) at naptime and 54% (younger-1yos) to 58% (infants) at bedtime; lotion application, 19% (2yos) to 29% (younger-1yos) at naptime and 78% (2yos) to 83% (younger-1yos) at bedtime; breastfeeding, 8% (2yos) to 35% (infants) at naptime and 13% (2yos) to 65% (infants) at bedtime; and feeding to sleep, 31% (2yos) to 57% (infants) at naptime and 35% (2yos) to 58% (infants) at bedtime. Conclusion Overall, nearly all infants and toddlers napped, and just over half reported having a naptime routine. Naptime routines were much less prevalent than bedtime routines, but overall contained similar activities. Feeding behaviors across naptime and bedtime routines were more similar than hygiene components (e.g., bath), with slight variation by age. Psychoeducation about a naptime routine’s potential benefit may be warranted. Support (If Any) Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., Skillman, NJ, USA