A major longitudinal study from Finland has revealed that the emotional bond between a mother and her infant plays a critical role in shaping a child’s sleep patterns well into early childhood. The research, which followed more than one thousand parents and their children, found that when mothers reported difficulties bonding with their babies at around eight months of age, those infants were significantly more likely to experience sleep problems. These included frequent night awakenings, difficulty falling asleep, and trouble returning to sleep after waking during the night.

What makes these findings particularly important is their long-term impact. By the age of two, many of the children who experienced early bonding challenges continued to show disrupted sleep patterns. According to the researchers, this suggests that sleep habits are not formed in isolation but are deeply influenced by early emotional connections. Secure attachment in infancy helps regulate stress responses, which in turn supports healthier and more stable sleep routines. These conclusions align with attachment theory research published by institutions such as the University of Helsinki and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

Interestingly, the study found that bonding difficulties reported by fathers did not show the same association with infant sleep problems. This points to a uniquely strong maternal influence during the earliest stages of development, when infants are especially sensitive to maternal cues related to comfort, safety, and emotional regulation. Experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) note that mothers often play a central role in nighttime care during infancy, which may help explain why maternal bonding has a stronger effect on sleep outcomes.

The researchers also identified a strong link between maternal mental health and infant sleep. Mothers who reported symptoms of depression were more likely to struggle with bonding, and their children were subsequently more prone to sleep difficulties. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), postpartum depression can affect a mother’s emotional availability, responsiveness, and consistency, all of which are essential for helping infants learn to self-soothe and regulate sleep. This finding highlights the importance of supporting maternal mental health not only for mothers’ well-being but also for healthy child development.

Notably, the relationship between maternal bonding and child sleep remained robust even after the researchers controlled for a wide range of other influencing factors. These included parental education level, the child’s gender, breastfeeding status, and family structure. The persistence of the association suggests that emotional bonding itself is a key factor rather than a byproduct of social or demographic conditions. Similar conclusions have been reported in peer-reviewed journals such as Sleep Medicine and Pediatrics, which emphasize the role of early caregiver-infant relationships in sleep regulation.

The researchers propose that bonding difficulties and sleep problems may reinforce each other over time. A baby who sleeps poorly may increase parental stress and emotional fatigue, making bonding more challenging. At the same time, weaker emotional bonding can make it harder for a child to feel secure, leading to ongoing sleep disruptions. This cycle can affect both mother and child if not addressed early.

In conclusion, this Finnish study provides compelling evidence that early maternal bonding has lasting effects on a child’s ability to develop healthy sleep patterns. It underscores the importance of early emotional connection, mental health support for mothers, and family-centered interventions. By promoting secure bonding in infancy, parents and healthcare providers can help lay the foundation for better sleep, emotional regulation, and overall well-being throughout childhood.