Research project detail

Baby Business: The Impact of a Brief, Universal Parenting Program to Prevent Early Infant Sleep and Cry Problems and Associated Parental Depression; A Randomised Controlled Trial

Baby Business is a randomised controlled trial of a universal program that aims to prevent sleeping and crying problems in young infants by providing parents with information about normal infant sleep and cry patterns and strategies to deal effectively with these baby behaviours.

Rationale

Infant sleep and cry problems are commonly reported by parents (15-35 per cent and 14-28 per cent respectively) and these problems are related to an increased risk of postnatal depression. Preventing problems, rather than treating them once they already exist, is particularly preferable in the instance of infant sleep problems, given that behavioural treatments often involve ‘graduated extinction’ (leaving the infant to cry). Many parents find this approach too difficult to follow through with. Evidence suggests that infant sleep and cry problems might be prevented by providing parents with information that encourages a more structured approach to infant care, encourages parent-independent settling strategies, provides information on normal infant crying and gives parents strategies to implement settling routines. Baby Business is the first randomised controlled trial of a program that aims to prevent both infant sleep and cry problems.

Method

Maternal and child health (MCH) nurses in four local government areas (LGAs) of Melbourne have referred interested families of one- to two-week-old babies to the project. Seven hundred and fifty families have enrolled and delivery of the program and collection of data is ongoing.

Parents in the intervention group are being offered a brief parenting education program in addition to their usual postnatal care. The intervention consists of:

1. a parenting booklet and DVD
2. a telephone consultation with the primary carer when the infant is 4-8 weeks old
3. a group parenting session when the infant is 8-12 weeks old.

The telephone consultations and group programs are being provided by members of the research team who have expertise in managing maternal and infant health issues in the first few months of life. Referrals to other services will be organised if necessary.

Parents in the control group are receiving the ‘usual care’ provided by their MCH nurse. All parents will complete follow-up questionnaires addressing infant sleep and cry problems and parental wellbeing when their infants turn four and six months of age.

Results

Project in progress

Research team

Parenting Research Centre

• Warren Cann
• Dr Fallon Cook

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

• Dr Harriet Hiscock
• Dr Jordana Bayer

University of London

• Professor Ian St James Roberts

Contact

Fallon Cook
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
T: +61 3 8660 3508

Funding

• Victorian Government Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
• Scobie and Claire MacKinnon Trust

Ethics

• Royal Children’s Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee
• Victorian Government Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Early Childhood Research Committee

Reports/Publications

Cook, F., Bayer, J., Le, H.N.D., Mensah, F., Cann, W. & Hiscock, H. (in press 2012). Baby Business: a randomised controlled trial of a universal parenting program that aims to prevent early infant sleep and cry problems and associated parental depression. BMC Pediatrics.