Worrying about your child’s sleeping habits could be having an effect on your mental health

"Telling a parent not to worry is like telling water to not get wet."

Worrying seems to be just part of the gig when it comes to being a parent. However, new research suggests that doing just that is bad for parents mental health. A study found that parents who worried about their children’s sleeping patterns were more prone to being depressed. The research carried out by the University of British Columbia in Canada also found that educating parents with the proper skills to help their children sleep, significantly eased their feelings of helplessness and upset. After 24 weeks of sleep treatment, 30 percent of mothers and 20 percent of fathers saw their symptoms significantly improve.

“The situation improved after the intervention, notably by the 24-week mark,” said study author Wendy Hall. “Once the infant’s sleep problem was treated, parental depression lifted significantly. "If you can find a way to regulate your child’s sleep, your own state of mind and self-confidence get a boost.”