Melatonin and New Moms

I read this article about sleep and postpartum depression and found it fascinating -- but it makes sense.

A team of scientists from Ohio-based John Carroll University says new mothers who want to reduce their chances of postpartum blues need to block out the blue rays of light that cause melatonin suppression. The group of physicists has developed special light bulbs for the nursery as well as special glasses, which they say can help new mothers avoid sleep deprivation and perhaps depression, too.

Waking in the middle of the night for new moms is a constant occurence. That being said, they will have light exposure when walking down the hall to get their baby (if it is not in the room with them), thus there could very well be an effect on their melatonin production. (This is the hormone that helps you fall asleep.)

This new research suggests that post-partum depression could, in part, be caused by sleep deprivation, which we all know is going to happen with a new baby, but it could be made worse with this excess light. Light exposure for moms may happen only a few times a night, but if you add it together over a few weeks, it could spell big trouble.

We know that melatonin production is interrupted when light appears. This is one of the reasons why I recommend night lights in bathrooms, for middle of the night excursions. But I never thought of MOMS specifically until now.

In 2001 it was discovered that not all light suppresses melatonin, only the blue rays. Experiments at the University of Toronto demonstrated that by blocking the blue rays, the pineal gland can continue making melatonin. The study inspired the John Carroll physicists to develop both eyeglasses that block blue light as well as nursery light bulbs with filters to remove the blue light.

The nursery lights and glasses are sold at www.sleepglasses.com.

Related Topics:

• First-Time Mom: Higher Depression Risk
• Dads Get Postpartum Depression, Too

Technorati Tags: Sleep Doctor, postpartum depression