ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: More than 95% of higher-order multiples are born preterm and more than 90% are low birth weight, making this group of infants especially vulnerable to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Emerging evidence suggests that families with twins face challenges adhering to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations to reduce SIDS risks. Adherence to the AAP recommendations in families with higher-order multiples has not been described. PURPOSE: This study describes SIDS risk reduction infant care practices for higher-order multiples during the first year of life. METHODS: Mothers caring for higher-order multiple-birth infants were recruited from an online support group. An online survey was used to assess infant care practices when the infants were first brought home from the hospital as well as at the time of the survey. RESULTS: Ten mothers of triplets and 4 mothers of quadruplets responded. Less than 80% of the mothers practiced "back to sleep" immediately postdischarge. Supine sleep positioning decreased over time, particularly during daytime naps. Only 50% of the infants shared the parents' bedroom and approximately 30% bed-shared with their siblings. Sleep-time pacifier use was low. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Safe sleep education must include specific questions regarding home sleeping arrangements, encouragement of breast milk feedings, supine positioning, and pacifier use at every sleep for higher-order multiple infants well before discharge in order for parents to plan a safe sleep environment at home. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Prospective studies to identify barriers and facilitators can inform future strategies supporting adherence to safe sleep practices for higher-order multiple infants.
Subject(s)
Guideline Adherence , Mothers , Quadruplets , Risk Reduction Behavior , Safety , Sleep , Sudden Infant Death/prevention & control , Triplets , Adult , Breast Feeding/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant Care/methods , Male , Pacifiers/statistics & numerical data , Supine Position , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The high prevalence of prematurity and low birth-weight places twin infants at increased risk for sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) and/or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Risk for these SUID and SIDS is affected by a combination of nonmodifiable intrinsic risk factors and modifiable extrinsic stressors including infant care practices related to sleep. Although adherence to the full scope of American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2011 recommendations is intended to decrease risk, these recommendations are aimed at singleton infants and may require tailoring for families with multiple infants. PURPOSE: The study describes infant care practices reported by mothers of twins in the first 6 months postpartum. METHODS: Mothers caring for twin infants (N = 35) were surveyed online both longitudinally (at 2, 8, 16, and 24 weeks after infant hospital discharge) and cross-sectionally. AAP recommendations (2011) guided survey content. RESULTS: The degree of adherence to AAP recommendations varied over time. For example, mothers of twins reported 100% adherence to placing twins supine for sleep initially, but many reported putting babies on their stomachs for naps as twins became older. Sharing a parent's bedroom decreased over time as did frequency of crib sharing. Fewer than half of mothers offered a pacifier most or all of the time for sleep. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Opportunities exist for development of an educational program geared specifically for postpartum parents of twins. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Barriers affecting adherence to AAP recommendations and effectiveness of educational programs addressing needs of this unique population need further exploration.
