Parent decision factors, safety strategies, and fears about infant sleep locations.
Infant sleep safety is a primary concern of parents. Infant sleep locations vary around the world.



This pilot study investigated the decision factors, fears, and safety strategies reported by parents internationally.



participants (n=49) recruited online from 10 countries completed an anonymous Internet survey in English and submitted a picture of the infant's primary nighttime sleep location. Pictures were coded into 'shared' (29%) or 'separate' (71%) sleep surfaces.



primary decision factors about infant sleep location were safety, comfort, family sleep quality, and overall ease. Parents maximized safety by providing a clear sleep surface, no blankets, no toys, sleep sack use, and a firm mattress. Different worries and fears emerged depending on the sleep surface.



differences in the specific worries and strategies used by parents when deciding whether to share or not share a sleep surface with an infant may be used to tailor future interventions.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing, United States. Electronic address: doering@uwm.edu.
Jennifer J
JJ
Doering
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing, United States.
Alexis
A
Marvin
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing, United States.
Samantha
S
Strook
D000328:Adult; D001513:Beds; D003657:Decision Making; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012890:Sleep
Decision making; Infant; Parents; Safety; Sleep