Pregnant women, rejoice! A new study has found that taking naps during pregnancy may be beneficial for your baby’s health..
The study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, found that pregnant women who napped for at least an hour each day had babies with better cognitive development at 18 months of age. Specifically, the babies had higher scores on tests measuring language, memory, and problem-solving skills..
The researchers believe that napping during pregnancy may help to improve the baby’s brain development by providing the baby with more oxygen and nutrients. Napping may also help to reduce stress levels in the mother, which can also benefit the baby’s development..
The study included over 2,000 pregnant women who were followed for the duration of their pregnancies. The women were asked about their napping habits during pregnancy, and their babies were tested for cognitive development at 18 months of age..
The researchers found that the benefits of napping during pregnancy were greatest for babies who were born prematurely or who had low birth weights. These babies had the greatest improvements in cognitive development after their mothers napped during pregnancy..
The researchers say that their findings suggest that pregnant women should be encouraged to nap during pregnancy, especially if they are at risk for having a premature or low-birth-weight baby..
So, if you’re pregnant, don’t feel guilty about taking a nap. It’s good for you and your baby!.
Here are some tips for napping during pregnancy:.
* Find a comfortable place to nap. This could be in your bed, on the couch, or in a recliner..
* Make sure the room is dark and quiet. This will help you to relax and fall asleep more easily..
* Set a timer for 20-30 minutes. This will help you to avoid oversleeping and feeling groggy when you wake up..
* If you can’t fall asleep after 20-30 minutes, get out of bed and do something else. Don’t force yourself to nap if you’re not tired..
Napping during pregnancy is a great way to relax and improve your baby’s health. So, don’t be afraid to take a nap when you need one!.
