0781 Relationship between Bedtime Routines with Sleep, Development, and Parenting Stress in Toddlers

Abstract Introduction Institution of a nightly bedtime routine is a key component of sleep health and is likely to foster positive early childhood development. The current study investigated the longitudinal and concurrent relationships between a bedtime routine and sleep, social-emotional development, and parenting stress in toddlers living in lower income homes and/or neighborhoods. Methods Caregivers of 78 toddlers (56.4% female; M=12.87 mos; 67.9% Black; 73.1% WIC) reported on their child’s bedtime routine at their 12-month well-child visit. At their child’s 15- and 24-month well visit, caregivers completed the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire–Revised (BISQ-R SF), the Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA), the communication and personal-social subscales of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), and the Parenting Stress Index (PSI-SF). Results were considered significant at p<.05. Results Toddlers with a consistent bedtime routine (5+ nights per week) at 12 months had significantly earlier bedtimes (20:54 vs 21:24) and waketimes (7:21 vs 8:48) at 24 months compared to those without a consistent routine. At 15 months, a more frequent bedtime routine was associated with fewer concurrent social-emotional problems (r = -.32) and decreased bedtime difficulty (r = -.34). At 24 months, toddlers with a consistent bedtime routine (33.3%) were less likely to exhibit concurrent BITSEA social-emotional competency concerns (66.7%). Caregivers also reported better nighttime sleep in toddlers with a consistent routine at 24 months. Additionally, caregivers whose child had a consistent routine at 15 and 24 months perceived their child as less difficult (PSI) at 24 months. However, no associations emerged between bedtime routine frequency and consistency at 12, 15, and 24 months with ASQ communication and personal-social concerns. Conclusion Bedtime routine frequency and consistency in toddlers was associated with better caregiver-perceived sleep, social-emotional development, and lower parental stress regarding their child being perceived as difficult, but not communication and personal-social concerns. A bedtime routine may be a cost-effective strategy to promote toddlers’ sleep, overall development, and family’s functioning. Support (if any) This study was partially funded by the Simms/Mann Institute