Maternal perceptions of advice on sleep in young children: How, what, and when?

Abstract

This study looks at the views of mainly White British mothers currently residing within the United Kingdom. Thus, it may not represent the views of everyone in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, it still makes important recommendations for practice. For example, relationships between health professionals and parents need to be improved and information on different sleeping practices widely dispersed. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Poor sleep is common in young children. Young children's sleep quality can be affected by parental behaviours. Parents lack knowledge of sleep in young children. What does this study add? According to this study: It would be beneficial for professionals to work in partnership with parents when formulating advice. Mothers want advice to appreciate individual differences, be free of stigma, and manage expectations. Mothers want advice both prenatally and throughout their child's development.

Infant sleep as a topic in healthcare guidance of parents, prenatally and the first 6 months after birth: a scoping review

“…Another recurrent theme is the importance of individualized and personalized guidance by parents on infant sleep issues, avoiding standard information packages [ 47 , 52 ]. This is in line with a Scottish qualitative study of how new mothers want to be met and supported by health practitioners [ 86 ]. Mothers want to work in partnerships with professionals, obtain knowledge-based advice free of stigma, help establish realistic expectations, and encourage them to make their own choices based on their family’s needs [ 86 ].…”

“…This is in line with a Scottish qualitative study of how new mothers want to be met and supported by health practitioners [ 86 ]. Mothers want to work in partnerships with professionals, obtain knowledge-based advice free of stigma, help establish realistic expectations, and encourage them to make their own choices based on their family’s needs [ 86 ]. This is almost a rewriting of the values promoted by NBO courses in Norway [ 35 ].…”

“Their Sleep Means More Harmony”: Maternal Perspectives and Experiences of Preschoolers’ Sleep in Ethnically and Socioeconomically Diverse Families in Aotearoa/New Zealand

“…Some mothers in our study felt judged by family and friends in relation to how and where their children slept. Our findings add to those of a recent qualitative study in the United Kingdom, in which parents of young children also described feeling judged by others about sleep (Hatton & Gardani, 2018). Given the negative impacts of problematic preschooler sleep on maternal well-being that we and others have found, this highlights the importance of clinicians, health promoters, and public health professionals addressing sleep problems, and providing support for children’s sleep health, in a non-judgmental way so as not to further burden or blame mothers (D.…”

Does Bed Sharing with an Infant Influence Parents’ Sexual Life? A Scoping Review in Western Countries

“…Especially, those professionals who offer home services should pay particular attention to parent-infant sleeping practices and observe where and how the baby and the baby's parents sleep. Research shows that parents appreciate balanced and non-judgmental parenting advice offered to expecting parents during pregnancy and throughout the first years of parenthood [41]. Professionals should encourage the couple to discuss their marital and sexual challenges and should serve as facilitators, offering, advising, and suggesting alternatives.…”