This study trialled a sleep education programme with pregnant, first-time mothers aimed at promoting their sleep (and their infant’s sleep) in the first six-weeks after birth.

Two groups of 20 women and their babies had their sleep monitored using an “actiwatch” when the babies were 6 and 12 weeks old. The control group attended an antenatal class where they were briefed on the protocol for monitoring their sleep for two 48-hour periods. The intervention group attended an antenatal class, which also included education about their own sleep, normal infant sleep development and strategies to help improve their own and their infant’s sleep in the early weeks. In addition, the intervention group participants were contacted each week for the first 6 weeks to offer them sleep support.

Women in the intervention group felt more confident about managing their own and their baby’s sleep, and their total sleep at night increased significantly from 6 to 12 weeks postpartum (on average, 46 minutes per night). In contrast, nocturnal sleep for the control group women did not increase significantly. The aim now is to make this programme available to all new mothers in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Funding: Health Research Council

Collaborators: Dr Duncan Babbage, School of Psychology, Massey University.