The family’s role in sleep health

Abstract This chapter describes the specific ways in which the family unit influences the development of infant, child, and adolescent sleep patterns. Sleep health is discussed in the context of both parent practices and quality, as well as family, sociodemographic, contextual, and structural factors. In particular, factors relevant for infant sleep development include night awakenings, bedtime routines, infant temperament, sleep arrangements, household chaos, and sensitive periods for sleep health promotion. Developmental changes during adolescence that impact sleep are presented including puberty, social engagement, screen use, circadian delay, caffeine, and bedtime routines. The effects of school on adolescent sleep health are discussed in terms of multiple obligations and school start times. More distal-level factors are also examined including the role of socioeconomic status, family structure, racial disparities, discrimination, and parent workplace.