Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026
Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Published on: January 7, 2020
Preventing early infant sleep and crying problems and postnatal depression: a randomized trial
Harriet Hiscock1, Fallon Cook, Jordana Bayer
1Centre for Community Child Health, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Australia;
Insights
This study found that an infant sleep and cry problem prevention program significantly reduced postnatal depression symptoms and sleep issues in frequent feeders. The targeted education program proved effective for this specific infant group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Maternal and Child Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Infant sleep and cry problems are common concerns for parents.
- Postnatal depression affects a significant number of mothers.
- Early intervention programs may help mitigate these issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a prevention program for infant sleep and cry problems.
- To assess the program's impact on postnatal depression.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial with 781 infants.
- Intervention included educational materials, telephone support, and parent groups.
- Compared to standard well-child care.
Main Results:
- The intervention group showed reduced postnatal depression symptoms at 6 months.
- Fewer intervention caregivers attended to infant wakings or changed formula.
- Infants who were frequent feeders in the intervention group had fewer daytime sleep and cry problems at 4 months.
Conclusions:
- An educational program effectively reduces postnatal depression symptoms.
- The program also lessens sleep and cry problems in infants, particularly frequent feeders.
- Targeting frequent feeders may optimize program effectiveness.
Objective:
To evaluate a prevention program for infant sleep and cry problems and postnatal depression.
Methods:
Randomized controlled trial with 781 infants born at 32 weeks or later in 42 well-child centers, Melbourne, Australia. Follow-up occurred at infant age 4 and 6 months. The intervention including supplying information about normal infant sleep and cry patterns, settling techniques, medical causes of crying and parent self-care, delivered via booklet and DVD (at infant age 4 weeks), telephone consultation (8 weeks), and parent group (13 weeks) versus well-child care. Outcomes included caregiver-reported infant night sleep problem (primary outcome), infant daytime sleep, cry and feeding problems, crying and sleep duration, caregiver depression symptoms, attendance at night wakings, and formula changes.
Results:
Infant outcomes were similar between groups. Relative to control caregivers, intervention caregivers at 6 months were less likely to score >9 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (7.9%, vs 12.9%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34 to 0.94), spend >20 minutes attending infant wakings (41% vs 51%, adjusted OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.95), or change formula (13% vs 23%, P < .05). Infant frequent feeders (>11 feeds/24 hours) in the intervention group were less likely to have daytime sleep (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.54) or cry problems (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.86) at 4 months.
Conclusions:
An education program reduces postnatal depression symptoms, as well as sleep and cry problems in infants who are frequent feeders. The program may be best targeted to frequent feeders.
More Related Videos
06:39Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
19:15Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
