Logo image
Back
A study of night-time infant care practices: A comparison of room-sharing and bed-sharing in a group of mothers and their infants of low risk for SIDS
Abstract   Peer reviewed

A study of night-time infant care practices: A comparison of room-sharing and bed-sharing in a group of mothers and their infants of low risk for SIDS

Jeanine Young, P S Blair, K Pollard, P J Fleming and A Sawczenko
Proceedings of the 6th SIDS International Conference, pp.70-71
SIDS International Conference, 6th (Auckland, New Zealand, 08-Feb-2000–11-Feb-2000)
2000
url
http://www.ispid.org/fileadmin/user_upload/textfiles/SIDSI2000_handbook1Feb.pdfView
Webpage

Abstract

Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine sudden infant death syndrome
Aim: Little is known about how parents care for their babies at night. Bed-sharing is a practice which appears to carry different risks depending upon parental characteristics and the sleeping environments in which it occurs. This study investigated night-time behaviour of 10 nonsmoking, breastfeeding mother-infant pairs. Methods: Polysomnographic and infra-red video recordings in a sleep laboratory commenced when babies were about 4 weeks old, and continued monthly for 5 months. Five pairs were routine bed-sharers (RBS) and five were routine room-sharers (RRS). Each month, pairs were randomised to one night bed-sharing then one night room-sharing, or vice versa. Behaviour and interactions were analysed using a behavioural code. Results: Mother and baby sleep/wake states demonstrated some concordance. For the majority of time when babies were awake, mothers were awake; and when babies were in Quiet sleep, mothers were asleep. All mothers spent more time awake when their baby was in active sleep on bed-sharing nights compared to room-sharing nights. Babies initiated most interactions. RBS pairs demonstrated more interactions than RRS pairs on both night conditions, and RBS mothers responded more quickly to baby initiated interactions compared to RRS mothers. RBS pairs breastfed twice as frequently as RRS pairs on both nights, but feeds were of shorter duration. Mothers most commonly placed their infants supine to sleep. The prone position was only used when infants were settled to sleep on their mothers' chest. Bed-sharing mothers more frequently faced their infant, and were in close physical contact, often within 20 cm of their baby. Bedding on both night conditions was most commonly placed at the level of the infants' shoulders, with one or both arms free. When bed-sharing, mothers more frequently secured the duvet under their arm which prevented it moving over their shoulder during sleep and accidentally covering their baby's head. Conclusions: No adverse effects of bedsharing were observed. Studies investigating bed-sharing must define the conditions precisely. Recommendations regarding bedsharing should distinguish between the effects of potentially hazardous sleeping environments and close contact between mother and baby.

Details

Metrics

4 File views/ downloads
498 Record Views
Logo image