Written by Hannah Harp
Spoon Feed
Falling asleep while feeding an infant is more common with breastfeeding (versus formula feeding) and feeding in bed (versus chair or sofa). It was usually unplanned and less common in a group that received education about safe sleep practices.
Keep your eye on the ball
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of mothers falling asleep during infant feeding (FAF), factors influencing this behavior, and the impact of educational interventions on FAF. Using data from a cluster-randomized trial involving 1,259 U.S. mothers of newborns, researchers found that 28.2% of mothers reported FAF, predominantly unplanned (83.4%). Mothers feeding in chairs had lower odds of FAF compared to those in beds (adjusted odds ratio, aOR 0.41, 95%CI 0.31–0.56). Safe sleep educational interventions significantly reduced FAF odds (aOR 0.40, 95%CI 0.25–0.65). Limitations include self-reported data and a focus on English-speaking mothers.
I love that this study moves us towards a more harm-reduction approach to infant sleep (even AAP says if you’re sleeping with your baby, do it on a bed and not on a couch or chair). The more information we have about what is really happening, the better for both preventing sudden unexplained infant death and maintaining an open therapeutic relationship between the parent and provider. What will always go unspoken with self-reported data is how much of it is true to life, considering the importance we place on safe sleep practices, as our anxiety can come across as accusatory to parents. Did the parents who reported fewer instances of falling asleep following the education intervention really change their practices, or did they just change their answers? I hope it’s the former!
How will this change my practice?
It will not change my practice, since I do co-sleeping harm reduction teaching for all infants. However, if anyone wants to provide free access to the safe sleep education program and texting protocol used in this study, you know where to find me.
Source
Mothers Falling Asleep During Infant Feeding. Pediatrics. 2024 Dec 1;154(6):e2024066072. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-066072. PMID: 39483051
