Trends and factors associated with infant sleeping position: the national infant sleep position study, 1993-2007.
OBJECTIVE
To determine trends and factors associated with choice of infant sleeping position.


METHODS
Annual nationally representative telephone surveys from 1993 through 2007.


METHODS
Forty-eight contiguous states of the United States.


METHODS
Nighttime caregivers of infants born within the last 7 months; approximately 1000 interviews were given each year. Main Outcome Measure Whether infant is usually placed supine to sleep.


RESULTS
For the 15-year period, supine sleep increased (P < .001) and prone sleep decreased (P < .001) for all infants, with no significant difference in trend by race. Since 2001, a plateau has been reached for all races. Factors associated with increased supine sleep between 1993 and 2007 included time, maternal race other than African American, higher maternal educational level, not living in Southern states, first-born infant, and full-term infant. The effect of these variables was reduced when variables related to maternal concerns about infant comfort, choking, and advice from physicians were taken into account. Between 2003 and 2007, there was no significant yearly increase in supine sleep. Choice of sleep position could be explained almost entirely by caregiver concern about comfort, choking, and advice. Race no longer was a significant predictor.


CONCLUSIONS
Since 2001, supine sleep has reached a plateau, and there continue to be racial disparities. There have been changes in factors associated with sleep position, and maternal attitudes about issues such as comfort and choking may account for much of the racial disparity in practice. To decrease sudden infant death syndrome rates, we must ensure that public health measures reach the populations at risk and include messages that address concerns about infant comfort and choking.
Colson
Eve R
ER
Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. eve.colson@yale.edu
Rybin
Denis
D
Smith
Lauren A
LA
Colton
Theodore
T
Lister
George
G
Corwin
Michael J
MJ
D002755:Choice Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000639:trends*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D016684:Prone Position; D012307:Risk Factors; D012890:Sleep; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016683:Supine Position; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States