Infant colic and sleeping problems from early childhood through adolescence

Our aims are 1) to assess whether sleeping problems persist from early childhood until adolescence, and 2) to investigate whether infant colic is associated with more sleeping problems throughout childhood and adolescence. Furthermore, we explore a moderation by parent-infant room sharing of potential associations between infant colic and sleeping problems. Data originate from a prospective longitudinal study in a healthy community sample (N = 185). Infant colic data were collected using cry diaries, filled in by the mothers for four days at age six weeks. The number of weeks of parent-infant room sharing from zero to six months of age were recorded using daily maternal diaries. Sleeping problems were assessed through maternal report at ages 2.5, 6 and 10 years, and child report at ages 12.5, 14 and 16.5 years. We used a score of Total Sleeping Problems, as well as subscales on Night Waking and Sleep Duration. Correlations were found between sleeping problems measured from 2.5 through 16.5 years for the Total Sleeping Problems, as well as for Night Waking and Sleep Duration. Compared to participants without infant colic, those with colic showed higher scores of Total Sleeping Problems between ages 12.5 and 16.5 years. We found no differences in sleeping problems between 2.5 and 10 years, nor evidence of a moderation by room sharing. Current findings suggest that sleeping problems developing in early and middle childhood persist throughout adolescence, and that children with infant colic may be prone to developing sleeping problems during adolescence.