Scientists launch babysleep.com

An international team of baby and toddler sleep and development experts has launched a new free online advice service for parents and caregivers.

Members of the Paediatric Sleep Council (PSC) and other sleep experts, including Professor Alice Gregory (Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths) have collaborated to launch an easily accessible website babysleep.com, containing the most accurate research-led advice available.

Through hundreds of videos and short articles, the world’s leading physicians and psychologists in the science of sleep will provide evidence-based information on schedules and routines, sleep problems, safety, environment and sleep training, among other issues.

Recognising that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to sleep, further sections cover advice for parents of children with autism, ADHD, and other developmental needs or issues, including premature babies. The site also features recommended books published by PSC members and other sleep experts and highlights the latest research and news on infant and toddler sleep.

Parents and caregivers are constantly given advice from blogs, forums, websites, friends, family, self-proclaimed experts, and many others. But babysleep.com offers an accessible website where people can hear directly from professionals with expertise in baby sleep. 

Professor Gregory says: “I was delighted to be asked to get involved in this initiative. I know how important the quality of a child’s sleep is - not only for their own development, but also for the functioning of their entire family. It’s about time that parents had a website that can provide them with expert answers to questions they may have about their children’s sleep.”

Professor Alice Gregory studied at Oxford and the Institute of Psychiatry (King’s College London) and holds research interests in the development and co-occurrence of sleep problems and associated difficulties throughout the life course. She has published over 100 papers and chapters, mainly focusing on sleep and associated traits. One of Professor Gregory’s most recent studies explored the relationship between ADHD and poor sleep as children move into adulthood.

Visit www.babysleep.com