How infant sleep patterns affect parental sleep quality: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Sleep disturbances are common during infancy and may adversely affect parental sleep and overall well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between sleep characteristics of infants aged 0–36 months and parental sleep quality. This cross-sectional study included 753 parents (96.7% mothers) of infants aged 0–36 months. Data were collected using an online questionnaire assessing infant sleep patterns (sleep duration, nocturnal awakenings, and sleep onset latency) and parental sleep quality using a composite index based on self-reported sleep parameters. Frequent infant nocturnal awakenings were associated with lower parental sleep quality (r = −0.36, p < 0.001). Longer infant nighttime sleep duration was positively correlated with better parental sleep quality (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). Parents of infants who fell asleep within 10 minutes reported significantly higher sleep quality scores compared to those whose infants required longer to fall asleep (p < 0.001). Infant sleep fragmentation and delayed sleep onset are significantly associated with poorer parental sleep quality. These findings highlight the importance of promoting healthy infant sleep routines as part of family-centered interventions to improve parental well-being and overall sleep health.