Fallon Cook1, Laura Conway1, Deirdre Gartland1, Rebecca Giallo1,2,3, Elizabeth Keys4, Stephanie Brown1,5. 1. Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Intergenerational Health Research Group, Melbourne, Australia. 2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 3. School of Psychology and Public Health, LaTrobe University, Bundoora, Australia. 4. Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. 5. Department of General Practice and Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify profiles and predictors of maternal-reported infant sleep problems across the first postnatal year. METHODS: Survey data examining maternal mental and physical health, intimate partner violence (IPV), and infant sleep problems and night waking were gathered from a cohort of 1,460 nulliparous women at 15 weeks' gestation and when their infants were 3, 6, 9, and 12 months old. RESULTS: Latent class analysis revealed 5 profiles of infant sleep problems, including those who had few problems (24.7%), persistent moderate problems (27.3%), increased problems at 6 months (10.8%), increased problems at 9 months (17.8%), and persistent severe problems (19.4%). Persistent severe infant sleep problems were associated with prepartum and postpartum maternal depression (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35-3.34, p < 0.01; AOR 2.52, 95% CI 1.64-3.87, p < 0.001, respectively), poorer prepartum and postpartum perception of health (adjusted mean difference [AMD] 23.48, 95% CI 24.9 to 22.1, p < 0.01; AMD 23.78, 95% CI 25.2 to 22.4, p < 0.001, respectively), increased postpartum anxiety (AOR 2.22, 95% CI 1.26-3.90, p < 0.01), and increased prevalence of IPV in the first year postpartum (AOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.20-2.87, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Poorer prepartum and postpartum maternal mental and physical health, and IPV, were associated with maternal report of persistent severe infant sleep problems. Women experiencing prenatal physical and mental health difficulties may benefit from advice on managing infant sleep and settling. Health professionals working with unsettled infants must be equipped to enquire about and respond appropriately to disclosures of IPV.
OBJECTIVE: To identify profiles and predictors of maternal-reported infantsleep problems across the first postnatal year. METHODS: Survey data examining maternal mental and physical health, intimate partner violence (IPV), and infantsleep problems and night waking were gathered from a cohort of 1,460 nulliparous women at 15 weeks' gestation and when their infants were 3, 6, 9, and 12 months old. RESULTS: Latent class analysis revealed 5 profiles of infantsleep problems, including those who had few problems (24.7%), persistent moderate problems (27.3%), increased problems at 6 months (10.8%), increased problems at 9 months (17.8%), and persistent severe problems (19.4%). Persistent severe infantsleep problems were associated with prepartum and postpartum maternal depression (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35-3.34, p < 0.01; AOR 2.52, 95% CI 1.64-3.87, p < 0.001, respectively), poorer prepartum and postpartum perception of health (adjusted mean difference [AMD] 23.48, 95% CI 24.9 to 22.1, p < 0.01; AMD 23.78, 95% CI 25.2 to 22.4, p < 0.001, respectively), increased postpartum anxiety (AOR 2.22, 95% CI 1.26-3.90, p < 0.01), and increased prevalence of IPV in the first year postpartum (AOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.20-2.87, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Poorer prepartum and postpartum maternal mental and physical health, and IPV, were associated with maternal report of persistent severe infantsleep problems. Women experiencing prenatal physical and mental health difficulties may benefit from advice on managing infant sleep and settling. Health professionals working with unsettled infants must be equipped to enquire about and respond appropriately to disclosures of IPV.