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Sleep disturbances are associated with feeding practices and age in preterm infants

Karen Simon Rezende da Silveira1, Junia Maria Serra-Negra1, Ivana Meyer Prado1

  • 1Department of Pediatric Dentistry - School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Sleep Medicine
|September 11, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Sleep disturbances (SD) affect nearly half of preterm infants. Nighttime feeding frequency and higher family income increase SD risk, while older age decreases it. Understanding these factors aids in managing infant sleep.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Preterm infants face risks, including sleep disturbances (SD).
  • This study investigated factors associated with SD in preterm and low birth weight infants.
  • Research was conducted at a specialized center in southeastern Brazil.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify factors associated with sleep disturbances in preterm and low birth weight infants.
  • To provide insights for better management and counseling for families.
  • To improve sleep quality in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 104 mother-infant dyads (0-3 years).
  • Data collected via online questionnaire on infant feeding, habits, and sociodemographics.
  • Sleep disturbances assessed using the Brazilian version of the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire (BISQ).

Main Results:

  • Sleep disturbances (SD) were present in 45.2% of the infants studied.
  • Higher frequency of nighttime breastfeeding (≥3 times) increased SD likelihood by 5 times.
  • Bottle-feeding (≥3 times) nightly raised SD chances by nearly 7 times.
  • Increased infant age and higher family income were also significantly associated with SD.

Conclusions:

  • Younger age, frequent nighttime feeding, and higher family income are linked to increased sleep disturbances in preterm infants.
  • Identifying these factors is crucial for effective family support and intervention.
  • This knowledge can guide individualized counseling to promote better infant sleep quality.
Abstract

Keywords:
BreastfeedingInfantPretermSleep disturbances

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