Maternal lack of sleep in the first two years after childbirth: Perceived impacts and help‐seeking behaviors

Abstract

Most evidence‐based sleep interventions (e.g., graduated extinction of nighttime crying) are in opposition to many parents’ values. This warrants taking a step back and asking the parents about their main concerns regarding their baby's sleep and the type of help they would be likely to use. This study aimed to describe and identify, among mothers of a 0‐ to 24‐month‐old child, the perceived impact of lack of sleep, sleep‐related help‐seeking behaviors as well as the most concerning aspects of the child's sleep, and preferred sleep intervention modalities. Another objective was to identify the factors associated with a negative impact of postpartum sleep, concerns for the child's sleep, and interest in sleep interventions. Canadian mothers (N = 932) were recruited by email snowball sampling and through Facebook to complete an online questionnaire designed for the purposes of the study. Most mothers reported a negative impact of postpartum sleep on their romantic relationship (79.4%) and quality of life (76.7%). Low parental self‐efficacy (PSE) about managing the child's sleep was the best predictor of a negative impact of lack of sleep and sleep‐related concerns, above and beyond any other child's or mother's characteristics. The preferred intervention modalities were reliable websites and online courses on child sleep, with a greater interest in home visits among mothers who need help the most (low self‐efficacy, high concerns). Interventions should aim at increasing PSE about the child's sleep in both parents and include home visits for those who need it the most.

UK parents' help‐seeking for child sleep: A qualitative investigation into parental preferences and reservations about resources

“…General Internet searches were the most used resource by parents and this reflects the trend of parents' increasing use of online resources to seek information about child sleep (Allen & Rainie, 2002 ; Khoo et al, 2008 ). Online delivery has been shown to be successful for the delivery of interventions for paediatric sleep (Mindell et al, 2011a ; Mindell et al, 2011b ) and recent evidence suggests that parents regularly use websites which they perceive to be reliable for child sleep (Simard & Pilon, 2021 ). Sleep specialists have begun to develop evidence‐based online content delivered in a user‐friendly fashion that includes information, advice and resources about child sleep for parents and HCPs (see Mindell et al, 2021 for an example of babysleep.com .…”

“…This is of note, given that CSPs can be associated with adverse outcomes for the functioning and well‐being of both the child (Magee & Hale, 2012 ; Scher et al, 2010 ; Sivertsen et al, 2015 ; Spruyt et al, 2008 ) and family (Bayer et al, 2007 ; Martin et al, 2007 ). Parents appear particularly concerned with aspects of a child crying associated with sleep, naps, and night wakings (Simard & Pilon, 2021 ). There are multiple informal and formal healthcare resources available to parents that offer information, advice and/or help for child sleep.…”

“…Informal sources include other parents, friends, family members, general Internet searches or online forums, children and parenting groups and some books. Formal healthcare resources tend to include a range of healthcare professionals (HCPs), such as doctors, paediatricians, health visitors (HVs), midwives and practice nurses amongst others, as well as some printed literature and websites (Brady & Guerin, 2010 ; France et al, 2003 ; Henderson et al, 2013 ; Porter & Ispa, 2013 ; Simard & Pilon, 2021 ; Stremler et al, 2013 ; Tsai et al, 2014 ). HV is a term which, in the UK, represents a registered nurse or midwife who has undertaken additional training in community public health nursing; the focus of the role is to work with families with children up to 5 years of age.…”

“…For example, mothers in Taiwan, Canada and the United States of America, prefer to use informal sources (Johnson, 1991 ; Stremler et al, 2013 ; Tsai et al, 2014 ) whilst mothers from New Zealand and Australia prefer to seek help from formal healthcare resources (Henderson et al, 2013 ; Trajanovska et al, 2010 ). Canadian mothers have also reported being satisfied with formal healthcare professional consultations (Simard & Pilon, 2021 ). A UK‐centric study of parents of 3‐12 year old children suggests that what is important to parents is that information comes from those with relevant practical experience, with parents being accepting of this type of information coming from informal sources such as family and friends (Hatton & Gardani, 2018 ).…”

Parent ADHD Is Associated With Greater Parenting Distress in the First Year Postpartum

“…New parents experience frequent sleep disruptions due to nighttime care for their infant. Sleep changes across the first postpartum year can have a negative impact on mood, relationships, and quality of life (Da Costa et al, 2021; Medina et al, 2009; Simard et al, 2021). Studies of parents of infants and toddlers have also identified that the quality of the child’s sleep predicts parent’s sleep quality (Meltzer & Mindell, 2007; Sinai & Tikotzky, 2012).…”