Characterising non-pharmacological infant sleep interventions for theoretical underpinnings and behaviour change techniques: A scoping review

Heather Liebregts; Alexandra Metse; Andrea Steele; Justine DeMott; Kelli MacMillan; Rhonda Marriott; Renita Almeida

doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106346

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Characterising non-pharmacological infant sleep interventions for theoretical underpinnings and behaviour change techniques: A scoping review

Journal article

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Characterising non-pharmacological infant sleep interventions for theoretical underpinnings and behaviour change techniques: A scoping review

Heather Liebregts, Alexandra Metse, Andrea Steele, Justine DeMott, Kelli MacMillan, Rhonda Marriott and Renita Almeida

Early Human Development, Vol.209, pp.1-11

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106346

PMID: 40738029

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Abstract

infant sleep

intervention

theory

behaviour change technique

systematic scoping review

In Western settings where solitary, continuous infant sleep throughout the night is emphasised, parents might perceive their infant's nightwaking as a problem and seek solutions. Interventions typically aim to reduce nighttime parent-infant interactions to facilitate independent infant sleep. There are concerns regarding the acceptability of these interventions to parents, and their applicability for families with diverse parenting practices, such as co-sleeping. The specific theories and strategies applied by evidence-based infant sleep interventions have not been systematically explored. This scoping review aimed to characterise infant sleep interventions for their theoretical underpinnings and behaviour change techniques (BCTs). Where applicable, this review also aimed to explore associations between meaningful groupings of theory type and BCTs and outcomes including parent satisfaction and intervention adherence. Online databases were searched for Randomised Controlled and cluster Randomised Controlled Trials of non-pharmacological interventions delivered in non-acute primary care or community settings that targeted the prevention or treatment of sleep problems in infants (0–3 years). Twenty-eight of 34,898 retrieved articles were included, describing 34 unique interventions. Operant conditioning theory underpinned 50 % (13/26) of the theory-informed interventions. Interventions were found to be multicomponent and the application of BCTs was heterogeneous across interventions. Findings suggest a need for more diversity of theoretical underpinnings and a clear indication of BCTs included in interventions. Future research should identify theories that can be adapted to align with family cultural contexts and parenting practices, and BCTs that can be operationalised to facilitate acceptable and culturally sensitive approaches to infant sleep intervention.

Details

Title: Characterising non-pharmacological infant sleep interventions for theoretical underpinnings and behaviour change techniques: A scoping review
Authors: Heather Liebregts (Corresponding Author) - Murdoch University
Alexandra Metse - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Psychology
Andrea Steele - Murdoch University
Justine DeMott - Murdoch University
Kelli MacMillan - Murdoch University
Rhonda Marriott - Murdoch University
Renita Almeida - Murdoch University
Publication details: Early Human Development, Vol.209, pp.1-11
Publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106346
ISSN: 1872-6232
PMID: 40738029
Grant note: This project was funded by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship awarded to Heather Liebregts.
Organisation Unit: Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Psychology
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991146337702621
Output Type: Journal article

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