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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Beyond the rules: an integrative review of parental perspectives on safer infant sleep in shared environments
Frontiers in Public Health, Vol.13, pp.1-21
2025
Abstract
Background: Despite public health campaigns promoting infant sleep safety, SUDI (including SIDS and fatal sleep accidents) remains one of the most significant contributors to post-neonatal infant death in many high-income countries. Bedsharing remains common despite predominant risk elimination guidelines, with many families struggling to follow rigid rules of avoidance. Risk minimisation considers the complexities of family life and recognises most infant deaths in shared sleep environments are associated with additional risk factors.
Purpose and methods: Integrative review methodology was used to investigate the information parents need to minimise risk for infants under 12 months who share a sleep surface. Database searches included Scopus, CINAHL, PubMed, PsycNET and Emcare to identify peer-reviewed publications published January 2013–March 2025. Quality appraisal was undertaken using the QuADs tool.
Results: A total of 60 articles met eligibility criteria. Twelve themes were generated from the data and grouped under four key domains: 1. Challenges in creating safer shared sleep environments, 2. Solutions/strategies used by parents to address challenges, 3. Family experiences when risk factors are present, and 4. Information needs of parents and caregivers. Families reported sharing sleep with infants, intentionally and accidentally, including those at a higher risk of SUDI. Bedsharing often occurs outside of a conscious parental ‘choice’, while families frequently refrain from disclosing bedsharing practices to health professionals. In the absence of formal guidance on safer shared sleep strategies, families generated their own solutions potentially increasing risk.
Conclusion: Parents need universal access to non-judgmental, neutrally-worded support that allows them to ‘prepare to share’ and employ strategies to enhance infant sleep safety wherever, and whenever it occurs.
Details
- Title
- Beyond the rules: an integrative review of parental perspectives on safer infant sleep in shared environments
- Authors
- Carly Grubb (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of HealthJeanine Young - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - NursingTerri Downer - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - MidwiferyLevita D’Souza - Monash University
- Publication details
- Frontiers in Public Health, Vol.13, pp.1-21
- Publisher
- Frontiers Research Foundation
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1629678
- ISSN
- 2296-2565
- Copyright note
- © 2025 Grubb, Young, Downer and D’Souza. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
- Grant note
- CG was the recipient of the University of the Sunshine Coast 2022 Roberta M. C. Taylor Rural and Remote Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Nursing; School of Health - Midwifery
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991163643502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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