ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on a whole range of problems with different origins and degrees of severity. I look at sleep for premature babies, for parents and babies after the tragedy of a sibling’s stillbirth or sudden infant death syndrome, for children with a particular disability or ability and for those who are ill. Although I do not go into details about any of the conditions considered here, I point out that all involve a very particular and sometimes very demanding level of response from the parents. Sleep problems may arise as a direct result of the baby’s condition. It may also result both from the parents’ feelings about the baby’s condition and the relationship that develops in this context. I consider the impact of a continuous experience of anxiety arising from challenging, distressing or traumatic circumstances, when parents’ confidence in themselves as parents can be affected.
