Abstract
Infant sleep problems are one of the commonly reported reasons parents seek professional
help, yet what constitutes a “sleep problem” depends on the models used to explain
the development of infant sleep. The current models are based on research conducted
in the western context where infant solitary sleeping is the norm. Parent-child co-sleeping
is the norm in many cultures around the world. We argue that the primary focus of
current research on parent-child interactions as the mediating context for the development
of infant sleep problems has inherently made these models and ensuing interventions
less sensitive and applicable to infant sleep problems in the context of co-sleeping
families. When families present for help with infant sleep difficulties, extinction
based behavioral interventions or interventions focused on reducing parental presence
at bedtime are commonly recommended. These recommendations may not always align with
cultural values and parenting practices of all families, therefore precluding these
families from getting necessary help. In attempting to provide families with choices
that depart from behavioral based interventions, this paper draws on research and
adapts current models to propose an alternative to conceptualize perceptions of infant
sleep problems that may be sensitive to and applied across various cultural and personal
contexts. We attempt to provide a rationale for interventions that are inclusive and
sensitive to families where reduced parental nighttime responsiveness may not be a
preferred choice.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 26, 2022
Accepted:
May 19,
2022
Received in revised form:
May 3,
2022
Received:
June 3,
2021
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 National Sleep Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
