Understanding Maternal Decision-Making Regarding Infant Sleep as Discussed on Social Media Platforms

Abstract

Objective: To understand how mothers use social media when making decisions about infant sleep practices.

Methods: Using a quantitative descriptive design, the recruitment poster with a link to the questionnaire instrument was shared within three private Facebook groups for mothers in Northumberland County (Ontario).

Results: Mothers access social media frequently, primarily to read content rather than comment or post. Infant sleep practice is perceived as a controversial topic, with inconsistent guidelines which are challenging to implement. Trustworthiness and comfort discussing infant sleep on social media are low, but mothers continue to use these platforms as validation of infant sleep struggles and reinforcement of maternal instincts.

Discussion: Updating infant sleep guidelines to reflect the challenges and realities of infant sleep practices, developing decision support tools to reduce decisional conflict, and discussing information gathered from social media in an open, bi-directional dialogue, will better support mothers in decision-making about infant sleep practices.