Child sleep arrangements and family life: perspectives from mothers and fathers

Abstract

This study examined solitary sleeping and co-sleeping arrangements in families with a young child. Data were obtained from questionnaires completed by two independent samples, one of mothers (N = 100) and one of fathers (N = 38) of preschool-aged children. Types of family sleep arrangements included children who slept in their own room from infancy, children who shared the parental bed from infancy, and children who returned to bedsharing following a period of solitary sleeping. Mothers and fathers described reasons for family sleep arrangements, attitudes towards sleep arrangements, satisfaction with sleep arrangements, and perceptions of children's sleep-related problems. Survey questions also addressed marital relations, parenting, and well-being. Results indicated that mothers and fathers endorsed similar reasons for their families' sleep arrangements, although reasons differed by the type of sleep arrangement. Satisfaction with sleep arrangements was more likely for mothers and fathers whose attitudes coincided with their actual sleep practices. Parents who experienced more problems with their child's sleep behaviours also reported disharmony in marital and parenting domains. Thus, 'nighttime parenting' was found to be associated with other important domains of family life for both mothers and fathers.

Fathers Faring Poorly

“…Sleep disruption and deprivation may contribute to mood and metabolic adjustments, although few quantitative data on men's postpartum sleep are available to adequately characterize them (Germo, Chang, Keller, & Goldberg, 2007;Gray & Anderson, 2010). Men's moods appear to change, both in positive (e.g., validation as a father) and negative (e.g., anxiety) directions.…”

A Consideration of Maternal Developmental Needs in the Treatment of Infant Sleep Problems

“…Mothers not getting sufficient amounts of sleep secondary to their child's sleep problems were at risk for experiencing negative feelings towards their child and about their roles as mothers (Meltzer and Mindell 2007). Maternal and paternal perceptions of sleep problems in young children were associated with lower marital satisfaction, maternal depression, and paternal dissatisfaction with themselves as partners (Germo et al 2007). Persistent infant sleep problems were associated with maternal depression and parenting stress when the children were 2 years old (Wake et al 2006).…”

Discussion of Extinction-Based Behavioral Sleep Interventions for Young Children and Reasons Why Parents May Find Them Difficult

“…For example, spousal conflicts are more likely "when there is a lack of consensus between parents and their preferred sleep arrangements." 74 Marital conflict is related to increased child sleep problems, possibly due to increased tension between parents causing behavioral disruption to the child, or the child's disruptive behavior placing strain on the parents' emotions and coping abilities. With the former, it is then important to assist parents in maintaining congruent parenting practices and beliefs.…”