The importance of sleep for children

From birth, sleep plays an extremely important role in a child’s physical and psychological development. It is estimated that one in four children between the ages of six months and three years have trouble falling asleep, wake up during the night or wake up too early in the morning. And when a child has sleep disorders, the whole family suffers…

The impact on the parents’ mental health

• • In the United States, 32% of parents with a one-year-old child worry about the quality of their toddler’s sleep.
  • 19% of American children between two and five years old have trouble sleeping a whole night.
  • 22% of Canadian parents with children under 12 suffer from mental exhaustion and depression ^[1]

Taking care of children’s sleep therefore has a direct impact on parents’ mental health. Nursing mothers often need help to relax too. Sometimes breastfeeding is impossible due to stress, anxiety, or postpartum depression. This causes their new-born baby to wake up frequently because they are hungry, leading to a vicious circle where the mother is even more tired and stressed.

In the United States, 32% of parents with a one-year-old child worry about the quality of their toddler’s sleep.

So, the new approach taken by food manufacturers is simple : produce infant formulas that help the child to rest, which in turn allows the mother to stay calm.

A relaxing product experience

Baby food brands can be original in their relaxation-oriented innovations. For example, they created smart packagings with QR codes that can be scanned to play soothing music or ASMR. There are various sounds – rainforest, rain, beach, hairdryer, etc. – that can comfort children at mealtime or bedtime.^[1]

Manufacturers can also use the composition of their products and the active ingredients to help calm new-born babies.

The impact of dairy products on our mental health

We are aware of the importance of milk for our mental health and the positive impact of dairy products’ consumption on our brain. A recent study ^[2] shows that consuming large quantities of dairy products leads to a high concentration of glutathione. This antioxidant helps to protect the cells in the body and brain from the effects of free radicals caused by stress. It is composed of three amino acids including cysteine, which is present in milk ^[3].

Tryptophan and its impact on sleep

Consuming milk is good for our health but also for our sleep. Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that has a proven impact on sleep ^[4]. The beneficial effects of tryptophan on the body are due to its role in creating serotonin ^[5], also commonly known as the ‘feel-good hormone’. It is a neurotransmitter, a substance that transmits information between neurones. It regulates brain activity helping to manage stress and mood disorders. It helps also falling asleep and favors a deep sleep.

Tryptophan is also used by our body to produce the sleep hormone melatonin, which is essential for the internal biological clock to function properly.

Tryptophan is also used by our body to produce the sleep hormone melatonin^[5], which is essential for the internal biological clock to function properly.

It can help children with sleep disorders. For children suffering from nervous tension, it helps to provide energy during the day and bring relaxation and calmness at night.

However, tryptophan is an essential amino acid. This means that the body can’t produce it itself and it must be ingested through food, by consuming breast milk or infant formula, as alpha-lactalbumin is the milk protein that contains the most tryptophan.

Lactalis Ingredients’ response: Prolacta®

Prolacta® – Native Serum Protein is an alpha-lactalbumin-rich protein that contains up to 40% more tryptophan than normal serum protein. Prolacta® is also rich in cysteine and is a source of good-quality protein. Used in infant formulas, it provides the correct quantity of amino acids without overloading the body. This pure, natural ingredient, obtained directly from milk, contributes to the healthy growth and development of babies and toddlers.

Conclusion

Innovations in infant nutrition that aim to comfort both mother and child are numerous. They range from active ingredients in functional foods and drinks to smart packagings that provide a comforting experience.

Nowadays, mental health is recognised as an essential element of general health along with physical and social well-being. This is why society is now focusing on promoting, protecting, and restoring mental well-being, providing many opportunities for the agri-food industry.

Sources:

[1] Mintel, Opportunity for soothing and calming baby foods. May 2021.
[2] Sandeep Ravindran. Dairy Consumption Linked to Better Brain Health. SPLASH! milk science update: May 2015.
[3] Nutranews.org, Le glutathione, le maître antioxidant (Glutathione, the master antioxidant). July 2016
[4] Markus CR et al. The bovine protein alpha-lactalbumin increases the plasma ratio of tryptophan to the other large neutral amino acids, and in vulnerable subjects raises brain serotonin activity, reduces cortisol concentration, and improves mood under stress. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;71:1536-1544.
[5] Yamashita M. Potential Role of Neuroactive Tryptophan Metabolites in Central Fatigue: Establishment of the Fatigue Circuit. 2020 Jun 29;13:1178646920936279