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Are maternal and paternal bonding problems associated with child sleep problems at 8 and 24 months?

E Rusanen1, M Flykt2, A Kylliäinen3

  • 1Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 9. FI-00014, Finland; Healthcare and Social Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, Helsinki FI-00271, Finland.

Infant Behavior & Development
|August 13, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Maternal bonding difficulties at 8 months are linked to infant sleep problems at 8 and 24 months. Paternal bonding showed no such association, emphasizing the primary caregiver

Area of Science:

  • Child Development
  • Psychosocial Health
  • Infant Sleep Studies

Background:

  • Parental bonding and infant sleep are crucial for healthy psychosocial development.
  • Understanding the link between early parent-infant bonding and sleep issues is vital.
  • Existing research highlights the importance of the caregiver-infant relationship.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal and paternal bonding with infants and subsequent child sleep problems.
  • To examine sleep problems at 8 and 24 months of age in relation to bonding.
  • To explore the mediating role of maternal bonding in the effects of maternal depression on infant sleep.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from a representative birth cohort.
  • Assessed maternal and paternal bonding at 8 months using the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ).
  • Measured infant sleep problems at 8 and 24 months using the Infant Sleep Questionnaire (ISQ), controlling for covariates.

Main Results:

  • Maternal bonding problems at 8 months significantly predicted child sleep problems at both 8 and 24 months.
  • Maternal bonding issues mediated the impact of maternal depression on infant sleep at both time points.
  • No significant association was found between paternal bonding problems and infant sleep issues.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal bonding is a key factor associated with infant sleep problems.
  • Early screening and support for parent-infant relationship difficulties and sleep problems are recommended.
  • Interventions targeting maternal bonding may positively influence infant sleep outcomes.

Keywords:
ChildDepressionFatherInfantMotherPostpartum bondingSleep

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