Sleep

I know that sleep in a huge topic for parents. I'm not sure if it is something we did specifically or if it is my children's nature but both are really great sleepers. The one thing I did do was think scientifically.

The key to a good night's sleep is melatonin. Melatonin comes from melas, meaning 'black', and thus is known as the hormone of darkness as it only is secreted in darkness. Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland, located behind the 'third eye", located in the center of the brain. Infants' melatonin levels become regular at about the third month after birth and melatonin is at its highest levels between midnight and 8:00 am.

So, what makes melatonin so important? It is crucial for a good night's sleep, is a powerful anti-oxidant, is an immune stimulant, protects against breast cancer and helps to reduce Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

So what is the key to getting high amounts of melatonin secreted? Well, since the pineal gland inhibits melatonin in lightness the key to optimal melatonin secretion is darkness. That means sleeping in a DARK room. No night lights, get rid of the sheer curtains and replace them with thick dark blinds that prohibit light from penetrating. This is the idea behind eye masks, they ensure total darkness directly over the pineal gland. For any of you doing shift work, those bright lights at 3 am are inhibiting melatonin from being made. I know kids can have a fear of darkness and Aidan does as well. He does not like walking upstairs if the lights are turned off but somehow when it comes to sleep the dark is not something he fears. It is actually the only way he knows how to sleep.