Mothers’ experiences of settling infants in central Vietnam “through their eyes”: A photo-elicitation study

Abstract

There is little research on beliefs and practices regarding unsettled infant behavior and infant sleep in low and lower-middle income countries such as Vietnam. Here, researchers used a participatory qualitative visual method (photo-elicitation) to investigate how infant settling was perceived “through the eyes” of new mothers in Central Vietnam. Four qualitative themes emerged from the data: “loneliness in the midst of the crowd”, “finding the right position”, “protecting from cold”, and “affection and exhaustion”. Further research into how parenting programs and evidence based infant sleep guidelines can be modified to be socially acceptable in Vietnam is recommended.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Vo Hue Man, Vo Minh Duc Nguyen Thi Xuan Duyen,Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, Tran Vu Minh Thu and Mr Binh Thang and Ms Thu Thuy Nguyen for their assistance with data collection and translation for this study. We would also like to acknowledge the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Fellowship.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.