From My Window

Baby FOMO

By Jane Thibodeau Martin,

Every human baby is different, but one thing all babies do, whether human or animal, is sleep more than adults. It is probable the key reason for this is because their bodies and brains are growing and changing so quickly. There are few sights as charming as a sleeping horse foal, long legs sprawled out in the sun; a pile of snuggling and napping puppies or kittens, or a soundly sleeping human infant. The sleep-starved parents of a newborn are especially moved by the sight of the sleeping baby!

My adorable granddaughter, though, fights naps fiercely. Even at six months, she'd resist the call of the "sandman," despite rubbing her eyes, twisting her hair and struggling to keep her eyelids up. A normal daily nap total for her could be as little as one 30 minute nap, and some days she slept less than that. The grown-ups in her life joked that she suffered from "Baby FOMO" or "Fear Of Missing Out." It seemed she was just so interested in everything going on around her she was loathe to miss something fun by being asleep.

I enjoy the days when I am caring for her, but on some of them, I would have welcomed a 30 minute nap myself! But often Baby B shows no sign of being willing to capitulate to sleep, and since she isn't fussy or crabby, it doesn't seem her body really needs the rest. She may grow up to be one of those adults who thrives on six hours of sleep a night.

Imagine for a minute, that you are on the job on a particularly trying day. Or that you are hard at work at 2 a.m., your work shift being overnight. If a kind human who loved you offered to tuck you in for a 30 minute nap, how many of you would struggle and resist? To a working adult, with lots of responsibilities and a never-ending list of things to do, a nap would be an absolute luxury. Even 10 minutes in a recliner with your feet up would be most welcome.

As we age, more people do take daytime naps, partially because so many senior citizens have difficulty sleeping at night. Many of my older relatives go to bed relatively late but still wake up in the middle of the night and are unable to go back to sleep. Some get up and read, or watch some TV. While some of this is due to physical ailments causing discomfort, others say they just aren't sure why they wake up and can't fall back asleep for some time.

I saw a fascinating study by anthropologists documenting the lifestyles of people who live deep in the Amazon rainforest, relatively uncontacted by outside influences. These people live a subsidence lifestyle, in small villages. They make, grow, or hunt everything they need and do not have stores, doctors, electricity or anything else even most third world inhabitants have. Anthropologists studying these people began to monitor the sleep habits of the tribal members.

What they found was interesting. The tribal members had sleeping patterns that meant that there was little or no time that there was not some member of the tribe awake. The natural sleeping patterns of "teenage" tribal members, healthy adults, and seniors varied enough that there was a tribal member awake nearly the entire time of darkness. People living much as our earliest ancestors did display the same kinds of sleeping patterns we see now. And they live in a world without "screens," and some of the other factors currently blamed for sleeping difficulties.

When I was a young adult, I thought nothing of going out for the evening at 8 p.m. Now that is my normal bedtime, or at least the time I retire with a good book. It is safe to say that I no longer have any kind of FOMO at night.

There is nothing in the world better than a restful night's sleep. You come to this conclusion after you have a child, or you spend sleepless nights watching over a sick loved one, or forfeit sleep due to work requirements, natural disasters or illnesses resulting in insomnia. Most of us can "coast" through a day or two of poor sleep, but the impact becomes accumulative quickly if it extends longer than that. Lack of sleep literally makes us both physically and mentally ill.

So if someone says to me, "Hey, you look like you could use a nap! Go lie down for a while, I got this!" color me gone. FOMO won't prevent me from declining such an invitation.

You can reach me for commentary, alternative viewpoints or ideas at this e-mail address: Janiethibmartin@gmail.com.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
08-16-2018	Front Page	Sauve, Dudka Win Marinette Co. Races
08-16-2018	Front Page	Winsert Breaks Ground For Another Major Expansion
08-16-2018	Front Page	BPM, Inc. Is Considering Wastewater Plant Options
08-16-2018	Front Page	Plan Honor Caravan To Escort Wall That Heals
08-16-2018	Front Page	New Floor In Peshtigo School May Be Aacer Training Project
08-16-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Hundreds at Silver Cliff Fire and Rescue Auxiliary Parade and Picnic
08-16-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Michael Schroeder Benefit Set at Wausaukee Sept. 8th
08-16-2018	Community - Wausaukee	10th Annual Village of Wausaukee Fall Festival
08-16-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Work Day for Marinette Co Fair
08-16-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Continues Plans For Wall That Heals Visit
08-16-2018	Community - Crivitz	Wolverine PTO Donates $10,000 for Playground
08-16-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz School Open House is Aug. 30
08-16-2018	Community - Crivitz	Monthly CPR Class at Bellin, Crivitz
08-16-2018	Community - Coleman	Pickup Items at Pound Cemetery
08-16-2018	Community - Coleman	Pound Fire Department Picnic Profit Was $7,563
08-16-2018	Community - Coleman	Dogleg Open Golf Fundraiser at Pound
08-16-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman 1952-58 Classes Reunion
08-16-2018	Sports	Area Gridders Eager For Action
08-16-2018	Sports	WIAA Task Force Meets on Realignment Process
08-16-2018	Sports	WIAA Board Elects Officers; Votes on Action Items
08-16-2018	Sports	Bonus Turkey Harvest Authorizations On-Sale
08-16-2018	Sports	Championship Men's League at LRCC Set for Aug. 20th
08-16-2018	Perspectives	From My Window
08-16-2018	Perspectives	Country Cousin
08-16-2018	Perspectives	From Our Readers
08-16-2018	Obituaries	Jeffrey W. Baumler
08-16-2018	Obituaries	LaVonne Brazeau
08-16-2018	Obituaries	Cindy S. Cole
08-16-2018	Obituaries	Brett J. Dessart
08-16-2018	Obituaries	Wally Faltynski
08-16-2018	Obituaries	Rodney L. Grom
08-16-2018	Obituaries	Rich Hanson
08-16-2018	Obituaries	Richard L. Holmes
08-16-2018	Obituaries	Kristy L. Korth
08-16-2018	Obituaries	Genevieve M. Kovnesky
08-16-2018	Obituaries	Eleanor L. Lavalley
08-16-2018	Obituaries	Arletta R. Laundre
08-16-2018	Obituaries	Betty LeTendre
08-16-2018	Obituaries	Leocadia M. Metzner
08-16-2018	Obituaries	John E. Phillips
08-16-2018	Obituaries	Sherry (Wilber) Vorpahl
08-16-2018	Obituaries	Lorraine M. Washuleski
08-09-2018	Front Page	Marinette National Night Out Enjoyed By Many
08-09-2018	Front Page	Court Battles Continue Over Back Forty Mine
08-09-2018	Front Page	Peshtigo Council Okays 3% Water Rate Increase
08-09-2018	Front Page	OK Plans For Added Officer, Full Time Medical Examiner
08-09-2018	Front Page	City Considers Format For Filing Complaints
08-09-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman Utility Meeting Aug. 13
08-09-2018	Community - Coleman	Joint Municipal Court Lists Recent Court Activity
08-09-2018	Community - Coleman	Judge Clifford Patz Attends Trial Seminar
08-09-2018	Community - Coleman	James Kobus Memorial Ride Set for Sept. 29
08-09-2018	Community - Crivitz	Seek Vietnam Veterans Names for Hall Exhibit
08-09-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Church Salad Luncheon
08-09-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz-Stephenson Historical Society Recipients of Grant
08-09-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Ski Cats Corn Roast Show Aug. 11
08-09-2018	Community - Wausaukee	41st Annual Silver Cliff Fire Rescue Parade, Picnic Aug. 11
08-09-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Concert Aug. 12 at Athelstane Church
08-09-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Under the Lights Entertainment For Wausaukee Enterprises Fundraiser
08-09-2018	Sports	Red Wave Battles To 2nd Place In State Tourney
08-09-2018	Sports	Son Follows in Father's Footsteps, Wins DNR Trout Stamp Design Contest
08-09-2018	Sports	Bonus Antlerless Deer Harvest Authorizations Available Aug 13
08-09-2018	Sports	Youth Trap League Benefit Raffle Results
08-09-2018	Sports	Enter Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Photo Contest
08-09-2018	Perspectives	From Our Readers
08-09-2018	Perspectives	From My Window
08-09-2018	Perspectives	Country Cousin
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Gloria J. Behling
08-09-2018	Obituaries	William Bertrand
08-09-2018	Obituaries	William L. Bristol, Jr.
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Mary J. Brown
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Daniel J. Eggers
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Mary E. Fritz
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Wesley L. Henry
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Michael Allen Hirsch
08-09-2018	Obituaries	James C. Kobus
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Nathaniel LaPlant
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Lois Mazur Lemerand
08-09-2018	Obituaries	David Grant McDowell
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Doris M. Mileski-Engel
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Dolores E. Monnette
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Ralph E. Peterson
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Joseph P. Redmann
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Marvin R. Rusch
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Gary J. Semrau
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Martin "Punk" Techmeier
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Linda J. Tessmer
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Debra Tickler
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Marsha Vara
08-09-2018	Obituaries	Audrey M. Yetter
08-02-2018	Front Page	Gov. Scott Walker Speaks At Marinette Republican Dinner
08-02-2018	Front Page	District Attorney Office Is Finally Fully Staffed
08-02-2018	Front Page	Marinette Council Awards REC Center Bid of $989,950
08-02-2018	Front Page	Back 40 Mine Arguments In Federal Court Aug. 1
08-02-2018	Front Page	National Night Out Set for Aug. 7th
08-02-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee School District Receives Safety Grant
08-02-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Wagner Historical Lists Raffle Winners
08-02-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Legion To Hold Flag Retirement
08-02-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Back To School Program Receives $3,000
08-02-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Church Member on Mission Trip to Antigua
08-02-2018	Community - Crivitz	Names Wanted for The Wall That Heals
08-02-2018	Community - Crivitz	20 at Even Monday Cards
08-02-2018	Community - Crivitz	Settler's Day Picnic Saturday
08-02-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman Board To Meet Aug. 6
08-02-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman 1950 Reunion Aug. 12 at Tradewinds
08-02-2018	Community - Coleman	Pound Church Plans Dedication Aug. 12
08-02-2018	Sports	Plover Ends Good Marinette Post 39 Season
08-02-2018	Sports	Red Wave Play in Tough UP Tourney
08-02-2018	Sports	Peshtigo River Bowhunters Summer League Winners
08-02-2018	Sports	Koehn Hits Ace at Little River CC
08-02-2018	Sports	Little River CC Crowns Junior Club Champions
08-02-2018	Perspectives	From Our Readers
08-02-2018	Perspectives	From My Window
08-02-2018	Perspectives	Country Cousin
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Stella M. Alexandrowicz
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Jeanette F. Baeder
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Vernon T. Benning
08-02-2018	Obituaries	John D. Compton
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Viola E. Fedler
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Elizabeth L. Roenfanz Geist
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Wesley L. Henry
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Claude W. Knuth
08-02-2018	Obituaries	David N. Koenig
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Ethel M. Larson
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Peggy Madden
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Neil D. McNulty
08-02-2018	Obituaries	David J. McTrusty
08-02-2018	Obituaries	John A. Radoll
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Ardith J. Rost
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Gene W. Staffeldt
08-02-2018	Obituaries	William T. Scheller
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Juliann M. Martin-Schroedle
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Daniel J. Secor
08-02-2018	Obituaries	John V. Szymanski
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Martin W. Techmeier
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Alice R. Warnecke
08-02-2018	Obituaries	Nancy A. Welton
07-26-2018	Front Page	Bay Area Medical Center Scheduled to Open Aug. 16
07-26-2018	Front Page	County Board To Have Busy Session Aug. 31
07-26-2018	Front Page	Alwin Resigns Job As Welcome Center Head
07-26-2018	Front Page	Wagner Needs New Public Works Director
07-26-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman Fire Department Lists Raffle Winners
07-26-2018	Community - Coleman	R-Angels Program For School Supplies
07-26-2018	Community - Coleman	Trinity Lutheran, Coleman Picnic, Service July 29
07-26-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman 1950 Reunion Aug. 12 at Tradewinds
07-26-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Ski Cats 5th at State
07-26-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Rescue Squad 9th Annual Ride July 28
07-26-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Church Salad Luncheon
07-26-2018	Community - Crivitz	Loomis Historical Talk on Beekeeping
07-26-2018	Community - Wausaukee	DOT Has Highway Landscapers To Replant, Mow In Wausaukee
07-26-2018	Community - Wausaukee	DOT Has Highway Landscapers To Replant, Mow In Wausaukee