Parent decision factors, safety strategies, and fears about infant sleep locations

Abstract

Infant sleep safety is a primary concern of parents. Infant sleep locations vary around the world. Purpose: This pilot study investigated the decision factors, fears, and safety strategies reported by parents internationally. Methods: participants (n=49) recruited online from 10 countries completed an anonymous Internet survey in English and submitted a picture of the infant's primary nighttime sleep location. Pictures were coded into ‘shared’ (29%) or ‘separate’ (71%) sleep surfaces. Results: primary decision factors about infant sleep location were safety, comfort, family sleep quality, and overall ease. Parents maximized safety by providing a clear sleep surface, no blankets, no toys, sleep sack use, and a firm mattress. Different worries and fears emerged depending on the sleep surface. Conclusion: differences in the specific worries and strategies used by parents when deciding whether to share or not share a sleep surface with an infant may be used to tailor future interventions.