Borkowski, Margaret M; Hunter, Kimberly E; Johnson, C Merle
description
Extends laboratory research on the effect of white noise in assisting sleep, expanding it through the night and in natural settings. In Exp 1, parents of 5 4-mo-old infants with problematic sleep patterns recorded their child's sleep behavior prior to and during at-home treatment with a white noise generator. Wakings ceased in 2 of the 5 Ss, which was maintained at the 1-mo followup. Six to 19 mo posttreatment, parents reported their children were still sleeping through the night with the assistance of white noise. Exp 2 used a similar procedure as Exp 1, with the addition of child or parent choosing a preferred white noise as well as adding scheduled bedtime routines. Exp 2 tested the hypothesis that white noise would assist sleep onset and maintenance in 4 1–4 yr olds who displayed bedtime tantrums, resistance going to sleep, and/or frequent night wakings. Results demonstrate the efficacy of daily schedules with positive bedtime routines coupled with white noise-like sounds. Bedtime struggles and night wakings were substantially reduced or eliminated in all Ss and improvements were maintained during followup. It is concluded that white noise alone or combined with positive bedtime routines coupled with a daily schedule may help children initiate and maintain sleep. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
