Sleep in Infancy: A Concept Analysis

Effect of illuminated musical mobile on sleep quality of children hospitalized in pediatric emergency departments

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of an illuminated musical mobile on the sleep quality of children hospitalized in a pediatric emergency department.

DESIGN AND METHODS

In this randomized controlled study, 124 children presenting to a pediatric emergency department who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two equal groups. In the intervention group, an illuminated musical mobile was used to help facilitate sleep. In the control group, routine sleep routines were continued. Groups were compared according to sleep quality as evaluated by mothers' observations. Evaluation was performed twice (before intervention - 1st day of hospitalization and on the intervention day - 2nd day of hospitalization).

RESULTS

Average age of children was 1.86 ± 0.78 years. On the intervention day, nighttime sleep duration was longer in the intervention group (p < .0001). Also, the frequency of spontaneous awakening (p < .0001), time to fall asleep after spontaneous awakening (p < .0001) and sleep time problems (p < .0001) were less in the intervention group. CONCLUSıONS: An illuminated musical mobile was used for the first time in the pediatric emergency department and was found to be effective in improving the sleep quality of hospitalized children aged between 1 and 3 years.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

During hospitalization, children's sleep quality can be increased by using methods and objects suitable for the child's developmental level.

Effects of Screen Viewing Time on Sleep Duration and Bedtime in Children Aged 1 and 3 Years: Japan Environment and Children's Study

This study aimed to clarify the effects of television/digital versatile disc (TV/DVD) viewing time and portable electronic device (PED) usage time on sleep duration and bedtime and the difference between the effects of TV/DVD and PED on sleep. The effect of TV/DVD viewing time or PED usage time on sleep duration and bedtime was analyzed using a multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for covariates. A total of 74,525 participants were included in the analysis, using data from Japan Environment and Children’s Study. TV/DVD viewing was not associated with short sleep duration, but PED usage was associated with short sleep duration. In addition, the risk of short sleep duration increased as PED usage time increased. We also investigated the effects of sleep habits at age 1 year on sleep at age 3 years. This study showed that late bedtime at age 1 year posed a significant risk of late bedtime at age 3 years. In summary, particular caution should be paid to PED use from a child’s health perspective, and sleep habits should be focused on bedtime from the age of 1 year.

Infant Sleep Difficulties at the 6th Week and the 12th Month Postpartum: What Is their Relationship with Maternal Mental Health and Other Perinatal Factors?

INTRODUCTION

Infant sleep difficulties are often a challenge for new parents and may be related to maternal mood.

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of reported infant sleep difficulties at the 6th week and at the 12th month postpartum is associated with maternal psychological well-being and the presence of a mental health disorder in the perinatal period or with other perinatal factors.

METHODS

It is a retrospective longitudinal study, examining a sample of 622 women who attended a 12-month innovative psychosocial intervention. Data were obtained through the EPDS and PHQ-9 psychometric tools, and the completion of a health history. Statistical analyses included Spearman rank correlation coefficients and Chi-square tests.

RESULTS

Reported infant sleep difficulties at the 6th week postpartum were associated with a) increased maternal scores on psychometric tools (EPDS and PHQ-9) during pregnancy and at the 6th week postpartum, b) the presence of pathological maternal mental health symptoms in the perinatal period (p =.034), c) high maternal educational level (p <.001), and d) reported maternal breastfeeding difficulties at the 6th week postpartum (p =.031). Reported infant sleep difficulties at the 12th month postpartum were associated with a) increased maternal scores on the EPDS at the 6th week after birth (p =.030), and at the 6th (p =.031) and the 12th month (p =.006) postpartum, b) reported infant sleep difficulties (p <.001) and frequent infant awakenings in the puperperium (p <.001), d) maternal fatigue at the 6th week postpartum (p <.001), e) infant gastro-esophageal reflux problems (p <.001), and f) high maternal educational level (p =.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates a positive relationship between infant sleep difficulties at the 6th week and at the 12th months postpartum, with poor maternal mental health in the perinatal period.