Research Examines Patterns of Infant Sleep and Care Practices

Research on safe infant sleep has mostly focused on individual activities such as sleeping position instead of the various combinations of infant sleep and care practices  that can affect safe sleep. A study published in the October 2025 Pediatrics examined common patterns of infant sleep and care practices, such as bed sharing and breastfeeding, and how they coincide with safe sleep practices among new mothers. The study, “Patterns of Infant Sleep and Care Practices: 2016-2020,” (published online on Sept. 22) analyzed data from the Illinois Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. The system surveyed 5,687 new mothers on maternal attitudes and experiences before, during, and after birth. Researchers focused on six infant safe sleep and care practices, including breastfeeding for more than 8 weeks; current maternal smoking; back sleep position; approved sleep surface; no bed-sharing; and no items in the sleep environment. Data showed that among Illinois mothers, 82.1% placed infants to sleep on their backs; 64.1% used an approved sleep surface; 60.2% did not bed-share; 49.6% placed their infants to sleep without items; 67.7% breastfed their infants for 8 weeks or more; and 90.8% were currently not smoking. Mothers who were 35 years old or older, had a bachelor’s degree or higher, and had higher socioeconomic status were most likely to follow safe sleep practices. When practices were considered in combination, only one-fifth of mothers followed all six safe sleep and care practices and fewer than one third of mothers followed all four safe sleep practices. Authors suggest this research could help inform public health programs and healthcare providers in how they support each family and their specific situation.

##

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.