Sleep, Safety and Social Media: A Qualitative Analysis of Online Discussions About Infant Sleep
Kirsty L. Hodgson, Kayleigh J. Ison, Madison S. Sharp, Sarah Snuggs, Davina Ledermann, Natalie A. Masento, Katie L. BarfootABSTRACT
Objectives
Family norms, values, cultural caregiving expectations and social support can affect infant sleep practices. Evidence‐based infant safe sleep recommendations are an important component of strategies to reduce the risk of sudden, unexpected infant death. This study explored how infant sleep practices were discussed across three online parenting platforms and how safe sleep guidance was discussed and represented within these conversations.
Materials and Methods
Qualitative secondary data (119 posts and 525 responses) were purposively extracted from open threads on Reddit, Mumsnet and Netmums using a predefined sleep‐related keyword framework informed by contemporary safe sleep guidance. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify and develop themes and sub‐themes within the discussions, followed by content and frequency analyses to quantify the occurrence of identified themes, question types and response types.
Results
Key themes included sleep behaviours, sleeping conditions and competing priorities, highlighting tensions between safe sleep recommendations and parents' practical, emotional and contextual caregiving needs. Practical advice and shared experiences were the predominant response types, while expressions of solidarity provided emotional reassurance. References to formal safe sleep guidance were limited, with parents frequently drawing on peer advice and lived experience when discussing infant sleep.
Conclusions
The findings highlight the role of online peer support in providing spaces where parents discuss and interpret infant sleep practices and suggest the importance of understanding how safe sleep recommendations are discussed and contextualized within peer‐led digital environments. This may inform more effective digital health communication that acknowledges lived parenting realities while supporting safe sleep practices and trust in health communication.