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
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Joseph Bikowski
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Kurt Burge
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Agnes Campbell
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Byford A. Carter
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Sandra Dubovenko
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Lorraine M. Ehlert
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Roger C. Eklund
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Kathryn A. Firgens
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Terry Flannery
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Jamie Glish
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Dean Grant
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Mary P. Gribbons
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Mildred R. Haulotte
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Donald Hirsch
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Harold K. Johnson
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Wayne F. Louis
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Daniel O. Lynch
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Ida F. Maske
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Linda E. Nicklaus
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Matthew A. Neshek
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Judith A. Piel
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Robert A. Portlock
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Retta L. Rousseau
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Janice Santos
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Erma E. Schroeder
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Joan M. Thurow
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Emil Vandermause
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Everett L. Waugus
10-18-2018	Obituaries	Barbara A. White
10-18-2018	Sports	Three Marinette Golfers Named Academic All-State
10-18-2018	Sports	Coleman and Peshtigo Claim Conference Crowns
10-18-2018	Sports	Marinette High School Sports Hall Of Fame
10-18-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee/Crivitz Share M&O Volleyball Crown
10-18-2018	Sports	Crivitz Takes Down Northern Elite By One Score, Take MONLPC Small Crown
10-18-2018	Perspectives	From My Window
10-18-2018	Perspectives	Country Cousin
10-18-2018	Perspectives	From our readers
10-18-2018	Community - Wausaukee	WBA Christmas in the Park Nov. 10th
10-18-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Athelstane Fire to Host Open House
10-18-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Needs Scorer, Clock Operator
10-18-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Lists Trick or Treat Hours
10-18-2018	Community - Crivitz	Personal Trainer to Speak After Tragedy
10-18-2018	Community - Crivitz	Country Gospel Jam is Oct. 19
10-18-2018	Community - Crivitz	14 at Monday Card Group
10-18-2018	Community - Crivitz	VFW Gun, Knife Show
10-18-2018	Community - Coleman	Healthy Living Library Topic
10-18-2018	Community - Coleman	Village Trick or Treat on Oct. 31
10-18-2018	Community - Coleman	Pound Christmas Parade Dec. 8th
10-18-2018	Community - Coleman	Club Christmas Party Dec. 11
10-18-2018		Bridge Officially Named For PFC Valentine T. Warrichaiet
10-18-2018	Front Page	Village of Crivitz Is Considering Extra Territorial Zoning for Well
10-18-2018	Front Page	Water Testing Continues In The Town Of Peshtigo
10-18-2018	Front Page	Peshtigo School Board Views Tentative Budget
10-18-2018	Front Page	New Crivitz Area Food Pantry Open House Oct. 25
10-11-2018	Front Page	Six Fire Departments Battle Fire Sunday
10-11-2018	Front Page	Large Crowd Attends Ceremony On Anniversary of Peshtigo Fire
10-11-2018	Front Page	Town Of Peshtigo Okays 2019 Budget
10-11-2018	Front Page	Coleman Board Views School Renovation Plans, Budget
10-11-2018	Front Page	Look, Listen, Learn, Fire Prevention Week Theme
10-11-2018	Front Page	George Webb Restaurants To Offer Free Burgers for 12 Game Win Streak
10-11-2018	Sports	Area Football
10-11-2018	Sports	Area Volleyball
10-11-2018	Sports	Area Cross Country
10-11-2018	Sports	Rule Regarding Deer Carcass Transportation Suspended
10-11-2018	Sports	Northern Lake Michigan Fisheries Team Report
10-11-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Silver Cliff Fire, Rescue Plan Hunters Bake Sale
10-11-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Holds 10th Successful Fall Fest
10-11-2018	Community - Wausaukee	WBA Christmas in the Park Nov. 10th
10-11-2018	Community - Crivitz	Booyah Fest Raises $3000 for Veterans
10-11-2018	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Legion Meets Oct. 17
10-11-2018	Community - Crivitz	CPR Classes At Bellin Health Crivitz
10-11-2018	Community - Crivitz	Fall Harvest Unity Dinner is Nov. 4th
10-11-2018	Community - Coleman	Pound Lists Hours for Trick of Treat
10-11-2018	Community - Coleman	Medicare/Medicaid Session at Library
10-11-2018	Community - Coleman	Hearing Care Talk at Library
10-11-2018	Community - Coleman	FCS Hosts Chili Cook-Off Nov. 2
10-11-2018	Perspectives	From our readers
10-11-2018	Perspectives	Country Cousin
10-11-2018	Perspectives	From My Window
10-11-2018	Obituaries	John Barnes
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Robert M. Burk
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Edwin Charles
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Carol A. Chudy
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Laura M. Curle
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Stanley J. Dudka III
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Fred W. Edwards
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Clifford R. Falstad
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Monica T. Hodkiewicz
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Elaine J. Holloway
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Harold K. Johnson
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Scott W. Klitzke
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Adolph A. Kowalkowski
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Orlin A. Krieser
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Mary K. Long
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Robert Lurquin
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Bernice Missal
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Sally A. Olson
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Connie Pesola
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Marie G. Reichwald
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Wayne Richards
10-11-2018	Obituaries	Linda Szymczak
10-04-2018	Front Page	30th Annual Historical Day is Huge Success
10-04-2018	Front Page	Fire Commemorative Ceremony at Peshtigo City Hall Oct. 8th
10-04-2018	Front Page	Bell to Toll in Memory of the Peshtigo Fire
10-04-2018	Front Page	Peshtigo Okays UDAG Loan For Evergreen Tool Expansion
10-04-2018	Front Page	Greenland Searcher To Speak in Wausaukee October 5 and 6
10-04-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Over 100 Students Given Supplies
10-04-2018	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Church Youth Meet Thursdays
10-04-2018	Community - Wausaukee	SNBT New Wausaukee Office Location Oct. 15
10-04-2018	Community - Wausaukee	American Legion 66 Hosts Annual Chili Fest
10-04-2018	Community - Crivitz	Booyah Fest for Vets Oct. 6 at Gateway
10-04-2018	Community - Crivitz	Winners in CBA Craft Fest Sept. 29
10-04-2018	Community - Crivitz	Free Trip to Champion Shrine
10-04-2018	Community - Crivitz	National Rosary Campaign at Crivitz
10-04-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman Board To Consider Renovation Options Oct. 8
10-04-2018	Community - Coleman	Coleman Utilities To Meet Oct. 8
10-04-2018	Sports	Eagles Slam Door on Bulldogs For First Loss
10-04-2018	Sports	October is NFHS Activity Recognition Month
10-04-2018	Sports	Crivitz/Wausaukee Share M&O Top Spot
10-04-2018	Sports	Area Bowling Results
10-04-2018	Sports	Area C.C. Runners Have Busy Week
10-04-2018	Perspectives	Country Cousin
10-04-2018	Perspectives	From My Window
10-04-2018	Perspectives	From Our Readers
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Moses H. C.  Adams
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Peter Nyland Adams
10-04-2018	Obituaries	George W. Arkens
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Susan A. Benzinger
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Kristine L. Brown
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Tate Earney
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Ronald Englund
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Richard A. Ermis, Sr.
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Terry Flannery
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Diane L. Foster
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Joyce M. Gyllenberg
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Clarence J. Johnson
10-04-2018	Obituaries	John J. Johnson, Jr.
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Jean F. Krueger
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Stephen M. McBride
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Delores Menacher
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Robert Minzloff, Jr.
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Sue M. Mollus
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Gary D. Nejedlo
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Patricia A. Reinhardt
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Janet M. Shepherd
10-04-2018	Obituaries	William G. Swanson
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Darlene A. Uhl
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Carrie A. Wendt
10-04-2018	Obituaries	Robert Wiedemeier
09-27-2018	Obituaries	Cindy L. Bushey