SOMA Living August 2025

POWER OF SLEEP In the beginning of our lives, sleep needs change quickly. Every young parent knows that newborn sleep patterns can be erratic and challenging. In utero, a fetus during the third trimester sleeps for almost all but two or three hours a day, with REM sleep dominating, accounting for 12 hours or more daily. No other life stage features as much REM sleep as the womb. This REM sleep supercharges the fetal brain’s development, facilitating the formation of billions of neural pathways. One major hindrance to this process is alcohol. It negatively impacts the ability to enter and sustain REM sleep, leading to potential developmental issues for the fetus. Expecting mothers should abstain or strictly limit alcohol consumption.

nucleus, which acts as the brain’s internal clock, takes considerable time to develop, so newborns lack a circadian rhythm. As any parent knows, their alternating sleep and wakefulness doesn’t align with day and night. A practical solution involves creating a structured environment for your newborn. Ensure they experience repetitive time signals daily through exposure to daylight and darkness, temperature fluctuations, and consistent feeding periods. This approach helps establish a robust 24-hour circadian rhythm.

With this support, both of you can achieve better sleep!

Bryan Umiker is the Founder & Owner of the Ethical Mattress Company, and a Maplewood resident since 2001. His career spans 20+ years in the Sleep space, including time as a Buyer and Vice President for Bloomingdale’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Casper.

Newborns face another challenge. The suprachiasmatic

AUGUST 2025 | SOMA LIVING 19

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