Background Traditionally, guidance and support to new parents have come from family, friends, and health care providers. However, the internet and social media are growing sources of guidance and support for parents. Little is known about how the internet and social media are used by parents of young infants and specifically about parental perceptions of the internet and social media as sources of parenting and infant health information. Objective The aim of this study was to explore, using qualitative methods, parental perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of the internet and social media as sources of parenting and health information regarding their infant. Methods A total of 28 mothers participated in focus groups or individual interviews. Probing questions concerning parenting and health information sources were asked. Themes were developed in an iterative manner from coded data. Results The central themes were (1) reasons that mothers turn to the internet for parenting and health information, (2) cautionary advice about the internet, and (3) reasons that mothers turn to social media for parenting and health information. Mothers appreciated the ability to gather unlimited information and multiple opinions quickly and anonymously, but recognized the need to use reputable sources of information. Mothers also appreciated the immediacy of affirmation, support, and tailored information available through social media. Conclusions The internet and social media are rapidly becoming important and trusted sources of parenting and health information that mothers turn to when making infant care decisions.

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A 15-minute educational session with small groups of black parents is effective in informing parents about the importance of safe sleep position and in changing parent behavior. The effect of the intervention is sustained throughout the first 6 months of life, when the infant is at the highest risk for SIDS.

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OBJECTIVE: The goal of this qualitative study was to examine factors influencing decisions by black parents regarding use of soft bedding and sleep surfaces for their infants. METHODS: We conducted focus groups and individual interviews with black mothers of lower and higher socioeconomic status (SES). Mothers were asked about many infant care practices, including sleep surface and bedding. RESULTS: Eighty-three mothers were interviewed, 73 (47 lower and 26 higher SES) in focus groups and 10 (7 lower and 3 higher SES) in individual interviews. The primary reason for using soft surfaces was infant comfort. Parents perceived that infants were uncomfortable if the surface was not soft. Many parents also interpreted “firm sleep surface” to mean taut; they were comfortable with and believed that they were following recommendations for a firm sleep surface when they placed pillows/blankets on the mattress as long as a sheet was pulled tautly over the pillows/blankets. The primary reasons for using soft bedding (including bumper pads) were comfort, safety, and aesthetics. In addition to using bedding to soften sleep surfaces, bedding was used to prevent infant rollover and falls, particularly for infants sleeping on a bed or sofa. Some parents used soft bedding to create an attractive space for the infant. CONCLUSIONS: Many black parents believe that soft bedding will keep their infant safe and comfortable. There is much misunderstanding about the meaning of a “firm” sleep surface. Additional educational messages apparently are needed to change parental perceptions and practices.

Background Infant-parent bedsharing increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. Despite AAP recommendations to avoid bedsharing, public health efforts have been unsuccessful in changing behaviors. African-American infants are more than twice as likely to die from SIDS and other sleep-related deaths, and are also twice as likely to bedshare with their parents. Further, African-American parents have a high degree of self-efficacy with regards to preventing infant suffocation, but low self-efficacy with regards to SIDS risk reduction. It is unclear whether messages emphasizing suffocation prevention will decrease bedsharing. Objectives To evaluate the impact of specific health messages on African-American parental decisions regarding infant sleep location. Methods We conducted a randomized, controlled trial of African-American mothers of infants. The control group received standard messaging emphasizing AAP-recommended safe sleep practices, including avoidance of bedsharing, for the purposes of SIDS risk reduction. The intervention group received enhanced messaging emphasizing safe sleep practices, including avoidance of bedsharing, for both SIDS risk reduction and suffocation prevention. Participants completed interviews at 2–3 weeks, 2–3 months, and 5–6 months after the infant’s birth. Results 1194 mothers were enrolled in the study, and 637 completed all interviews. Bedsharing, both usually (aOR 1.005 [95% CI 1.003, 1.006]) and last night (aOR 1.004 [95% CI 1.002, 1.007]) increased slightly but statistically significantly with infant age (p<0.001). Receipt of the enhanced message did not impact on sleep location. Maternal belief that bedsharing increased the risk of SIDS or suffocation declined over 6 months (p<0.001) and did not differ by group assignment. Conclusion African-American mothers who received an enhanced message about SIDS risk reduction and suffocation prevention were no less likely to bedshare with their infants.

Objectives To determine the accuracy of information on infant sleep safety on the internet using Google. We hypothesized that the majority of websites would accurately reflect the AAP recommendations for infant sleep safety. Study design We searched for advice using 13 key phrases and analyzed the first 100 websites for each. Websites were categorized by type and assessed for accuracy of information provided, based on AAP recommendations. The accuracy of information was classified as “accurate,” “inaccurate,” or “not relevant.” Results Overall, 43.5% of the 1300 websites provided accurate information, 28.1% provided inaccurate information, and 28.4% were not relevant. The search terms “infant cigarette smoking,” “infant sleep position,” and “infant sleep surface” resulted in the highest percentage of websites with accurate information. “Pacifier infant,” “infant home monitors,” and “infant co-sleeping” resulted in the lowest percentage of websites with accurate information. Government websites had the highest rate of accuracy, and blogs had the lowest rate of accurate information. Conclusion The internet frequently contains information about infant sleep safety that is inconsistent with AAP recommendations. Health care providers should realize the extent to which parents may turn to the internet for information about infant sleep safety.