Evaluation of possums sleep intervention: A pilot feasibility study

Abstract

The first year with a child is one of the most challenging times for mothers due to repeated awakenings typical for young infants. Research has shown that persistent fragmented sleep increases a mother’s risk for low overall well-being, which can challenge the mother-infant relationship. In an effort to improve sleep for both mother and infant, healthcare providers often recommend infant behavioral sleep interventions. The primary focus of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of the Possums Sleep Intervention, a psychoeducational group workshop for women with infants between the ages of 0-6 months. A second goal of the study was to evaluate the potential of the Possums curriculum in improving maternal and infant sleep and self-reported mother-infant emotional availability. Participants were 24 mothers with their 0-6 month old infants assessed at the start of the study and again at the completion of the 4-week workshop. Results showed improvements in the perceived emotional availability in the mother-infant relationship; however, positive effects related to maternal or infant sleep were only on a trend level.