Is it a myth? Intelligence and sleep

[flimflammum]

Was/is your intelligent child a poor sleeper, at least in the daytime? My DS (age 2 and a half, but with language skills of a 4yo and very good visual recognition and memory) never slept easily in the daytime, though gentle sleep training sorted his night sleeping out. Now DD (3 months), despite my best efforts with routine etc, will only sleep for 45 mins at a time in the day. People always remarked on how 'alert' DS was when he was a baby, and I'm getting the same comments with DD. What's your experience?

No

v. interesting, thanks. I did think that sleeping patterns were more likely to be influenced by the habits we set as parents - until no. 2 came along and is a light sleeper too, whatever I try to do. Don't know how she'll turn out in terms of G&T. Also I have considered that DS might end up average by the time he's five, even though he's 'ahead' now.

I wouldn't say that every poor sleeper must be a genius, but wonder if there is some correlation...

BTW I've heard that late speakers sometimes turn out to have good mathematical intelligence (maybe more 'male' brain? - but that's another whole can of worms!!)

Yes arionater, I always used to read in bed to help switch off my brain - until I had kids and now I'm so exhausted I just zonk out!

flimflam, there is apparently a link between late speaking and mathematical ability: The Einstein Syndrome. Of course not to say that every late-speaking child is a genius.

I have a vested interested in the link between crap sleeping and intelligence because both my dcs are shocking in the sleep department. The older one, dd is only 4.6, thoroughly average IMO.

But my dcs inherited the sleep patterns from my dh (MIL tells me) and out of her 4 children, he was the worst sleeper and now the most intelligent and, I daresay, driven and successful. There, I have proved it!

DS is a late(r) talker but has very good numeracy for his age. Mind you, I was 'gifted' (hate the term I have to say) at many things, maths being one of them, and never shut up from age 1...

I first heard of the association when I saw a sleep therapist with DD1 - who slept very little during day and at night resorted to head banging when we tried controlled crying technique - to the point where her forehead would bleed. Therapist casually remarked that she was probably very bright. At 12 months it was hard to say for sure. Now that she's 4.5 yrs, it's clear that she is bright - very good language skills, expression and understanding. But I would not say that she is at the upper spectrum, as I understand it. Thankfully we did manage to Ferberise her in the end.

oddly dd was late talker (well in 2's) and is in advanced maths class!

DH was a very late developer, slept/sleeps loads, and is the most intelligent person I've ever met. Was way past the level of his teachers at A level, 1st class masters in maths. Was labelled a dunce at primary school- couldn't read properly until 8 etc (to be fair he is dyslexic).

Dbro never slept more than 6 hours as a child, 4 hrs as an adult. Is a complete polymath- exceptionally gifted in music, sport, sciences. V good at drama, languages etc.

Some babies sleep, some don't. It has many causes, and patently there are many examples of intelligent people that sleep loads or sleep barely at all. There are probably loads who sleep normally too!

Your children will be themselves, regardless of sleeping patterns

I think this is what parents of terrible sleepers tell themselves to make themselves feel better

(I know I do )