Infant Sleep Behavior Practices and Knowledge of Fathers: An Exploratory and Descriptive Study
Levi Funches1, James E Slaven2, Nancy Swigonski1
1Riley Hospital for Children, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
Insights
Fathers need more education on safe infant sleep practices to reduce sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). Key areas for improvement include breastfeeding, wearable blankets, room-sharing, and pacifier use to enhance infant safety.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
Background:
- Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remain significant causes of infant mortality.
- Understanding the knowledge and behaviors of fathers regarding infant safe sleep is crucial for prevention strategies.
- In Indianapolis, 17% of infant deaths in 2022 were attributed to SUIDs, highlighting a local public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe fathers' knowledge and behaviors related to infant safe-sleep practices.
- To identify specific areas where fathers' understanding of safe sleep recommendations is lacking.
- To inform the development of targeted educational interventions for male caregivers.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 85 fathers recruited via promotional flyers between 2019 and 2024.
- Data were collected using a secure, web-based tool, accessible via QR code or manual entry.
- Frequency and comparative analyses were performed to describe the collected knowledge and behavioral data.
Main Results:
- Fathers reported lowest knowledge regarding the protective benefits of breastfeeding and wearable blankets against SUID.
- Fewer fathers reported practicing safe sleep behaviors such as room-sharing and consistent pacifier usage.
- A significant proportion of fathers reported unsafe sleep practices, including bed-sharing and using adult beds for infant sleep.
Conclusions:
- Targeted, interactive education for male caregivers on American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) safe sleep recommendations is essential.
- Focusing educational efforts on the risks of soft bedding, benefits of breastfeeding, pacifier use, and room-sharing can help reduce SUID rates.
- Empowering fathers with knowledge and safe sleep practices is vital for their role in preventing infant sleep-related deaths.
Abstract:
Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is a term for any sudden death occurring under 1 year of age. SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) is the sudden death of an infant that is unexplained after an investigation and often occurs during sleep or in the infant sleep area. In Indianapolis, 130 infants died in 2022 before their first birthday, and 17% were from SUIDs. Fathers' understanding of infant safe-sleep knowledge and behaviors is mostly unknown. This study aims to describe fathers' infant safe-sleep knowledge and behaviors. Study participants were recruited via promotional flyers from 2019 to 2024. Volunteers completed a survey on their infant safe-sleep knowledge and behaviors. Responses were entered via secure, web-based data-collection tool either directly by QR code accessible survey or manually by the research team. Frequency and comparative analyses were performed, and results described. Eighty-five fathers completed the survey. The lowest reported knowledge for safe-sleep practices was for breastfeeding, and wearable blankets being protective against SUID. A smaller percentage of fathers reported their baby never slept in the same bed as someone else and similarly reported never placing their baby to sleep in an adult bed. Fewer fathers correctly reported practicing room-sharing and pacifier usage. Interactive learning geared toward male caregivers on AAP recommendations for preventing sleep-related deaths is key. Focusing efforts with fathers on the risk of soft bedding, benefit of breastfeeding, pacifier usage, and room-sharing will be important to lowering SUID rates and helping men in their role as fathers.
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