In qualitative interviews with 23 mothers with opioid use disorder and infants aged one to seven months, researchers examined decisions about infant sleep. Mothers considered infant comfort, perceived safety, and withdrawal symptoms, while residential-treatment rules, hospital modeling, and sometimes inconsistent advice also shaped choices. The authors recommend tailoring safe-sleep counseling to these experiences. This small qualitative study describes decision-making rather than measuring infant sleep outcomes.
Abstract
Objective: To understand the perspectives and perceived facilitators of and barriers to following safe infant sleeping practices among mothers with opioid use disorder (OUD).
Study design: Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework, we conducted qualitative interviews with mothers with OUD regarding infant sleep practices. We created codes and generated themes, concluding data collection upon achieving thematic saturation.
Results: Twenty-three mothers with infants 1-7 months of age were interviewed from 08/2020 to 10/2021. Mothers chose sleeping practices they perceived made their infants safer, more comfortable, and minimized infant withdrawal symptoms. Mothers in residential treatment facilities were influenced by facility infant sleep rules. Hospital sleep modeling and varied advice by providers, friends and family influenced maternal decisions.
Conclusions: Mothers reported factors unique to their experience with OUD that influenced their decisions about infant sleep that should be considered when developing tailored interventions to promote safe infant sleep in this population.
