0949 Should Parents and Children Share the Same Bed? A Systematic Review of the Consequences of Bedsharing on Sleep and Child Development

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Bedsharing is a common practice worldwide except in Western societies where it is more controversial. The advantages and disadvantages of bedsharing on child health, safety, and development have been widely debated. This study examines the potential consequences of bedsharing on sleep and child development. Methods The systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and the University librarian advisor. Height electronic data base were searched with no limit on date. To be selected, studies must include only regular practice of bedsharing, have been conducted with children sharing the bed with their parents before the age of three, use an observational design, and present results on sleep quality or duration. The effect of bedsharing was assessed with six outcome measures: sleep quality, sleep duration, attachment quality, autonomy and independence, cognitive skills, as well as emotional and behavioural problems. Due to high heterogeneity in the measures used between studies, a narrative synthesis was done. Studies’ quality was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network framework. Results A total of 28 publications were included, 17 of which were cross-sectional and 11 prospective studies. The studies were carried out between 1989 and 2017 in 25 countries. Sample sizes range from 41 to 55,831 participants aged from 6-week to 18-year old. Samples presented an equivalent amount of boys and girls. 16 studies reported data only on sleep, 7 only on child development, and 5 on both. The quality of the studies was considered low and moderate. For sleep, studies have shown a significant increase in the number of nocturnal awakenings among children who share the parental bed. Evidence of an association between bedsharing and other sleep parameters (difficulty falling asleep, resistance to bedtime, and sleep duration) is inconclusive. Regarding child development, only three studies found a positive impact on autonomy, cognitive skills, and anxiety. The absence of significant results in the remaining studies suggests that bedsharing is not a determining factor in child development. Conclusion The heterogeneity between studies and the quality of available data prevents definitive conclusions about the effects of regular bedsharing on sleep and child development. Support No financial support