Breastfeeding and Sleeping Patterns Among 6-12-Month-Old Infants in Norway
Ahmed A Madar1, Astrid Kurniasari2, Niki Marjerrison2
1Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. a.a.madar@medisin.uio.no.
Insights
Frequent night waking and breastfeeding are common in 6-12 month old infants. Understanding infant sleep patterns supports continued breastfeeding practices.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infant Sleep Studies
- Lactation Research
Background:
- Parental behavior and infant sleep patterns exhibit significant cultural and environmental variations.
- Breastfeeding in later infancy is linked to increased night waking, often perceived as a sleep issue in Western societies.
- Understanding infant sleep is crucial for supporting sustained breastfeeding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sleep patterns of breastfed infants aged 6-12 months.
- To identify factors associated with night sleep duration and night waking frequency in this population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 342 mothers of 6-12 month old breastfed infants.
- Utilized questionnaires for socio-demographic factors, breastfeeding practices, and infant sleep patterns (Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire - BISQ).
- Employed Cox and Poisson regression models to analyze factors associated with night sleep duration and night waking frequency.
Main Results:
- Most infants (96.8%) experienced night waking, with 93.5% being breastfed at night.
- Older infants (9-12 months) were less likely to have longer night sleep durations compared to younger infants (6-8 months).
- Factors associated with increased night waking included breastfeeding to sleep, bed sharing, and nighttime breastfeeding frequency.
Conclusions:
- Frequent night waking, bed sharing, and nighttime breastfeeding are prevalent in 6-12 month old breastfed infants.
- Nighttime breastfeeding may contribute to longer infant sleep duration.
- Providing adequate information and support to breastfeeding mothers regarding infant sleep patterns is essential for promoting continued breastfeeding.
Background:
Parental behavior and infant sleep patterns can vary widely both within and between cultures and settings. Breastfeeding during the second half-year of infancy has been associated with frequent night waking, which is perceived as sleep problem among the Western societies. An understanding of sleeping patterns among breastfed infants during the second half-year of infancy is important in supporting continued breastfeeding.
Objectives:
The study aimed to investigate the sleeping patterns among breastfed infants during second half-year of infancy.
Methods:
This is a cross-sectional study. Three hundred and forty-two mothers of 6-12 months old breastfed infants completed the questionnaires on socio-demographic factors, breastfeeding practices, and infant sleeping patterns, which were assessed by using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire (BISQ). The Cox regression model was used to assess the factors that were associated with night sleep duration whereas demographic factors and breastfeeding practices that were associated with night waking frequency were investigated using the Poisson regression model.
Results:
On average, the breastfed infants slept for 11 h during the night and most infants were reported to have night waking (96.8%) and were breastfed at least once at night (93.5%). In the adjusted analyses, infants in the age group 9-12 months were less likely to sleep longer compared to infants in the 6-8 months age group [HR 1.52 95% CI (1.17, 1.98)]. A one-hour increase in daytime sleep and in night wakefulness increased the likelihood of waking up at night by 19% and 24%, respectively. Infants who had been vaccinated within the last 7 days and infants who were breastfed to sleep were more likely to have a shorter nighttime sleep duration. Nighttime breastfeeding frequency was significantly associated with a 17% increase in the likelihood of night waking [IRR 1.17 95% CI (1.13, 1.22)]. Infants who slept on their parents' bed were 1.28 times more likely to wake up at night compared to infants who slept in a separate room [IRR 1.28 95% CI (1.05, 1.59)]. Infants of parents who reported that their infants' sleep was not a problem were 34% less likely to wake up compared to infants of parents who reported that their infants' sleep was a problem [IRR 0.66 95% CI (0.49, 0.87)]. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Frequent night waking, bed sharing and night breastfeeding were common among 6-12 months old breastfed infants. Frequent night breastfeeding may lengthen an infant's nighttime sleep duration. The study findings indicate that adequate information and support should be given to breastfeeding mothers in relation to the sleeping pattern of breastfed infants in order to promote continued breastfeeding practices.
