How do early parenting centres support women with an infant who has a sleep problem?

Abstract

Some women who have an infant experiencing sleep problems are so sleep deprived themselves that admission to an early parenting centre is needed to help them better manage the situation. This paper reports on a qualitative study that used focus group methods to interview families who were admitted to an early parenting centre for persistent infant sleep problems. Results showed that parents needed a variety of strategies such as instructional, emotional and physical supports to develop confidence to manage infant’s sleep disturbance at home.

Key Words:

• infant
• sleep disturbance
• nursing
• maternal fatigue
• early parenting centre