Beyond the rules: an integrative review of parental perspectives on safer infant sleep in shared environments.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite public health campaigns promoting infant sleep safety, SUDI (including SIDS and fatal sleep accidents) remains one of the most significant contributors to post-neonatal infant death in many high-income countries. Bedsharing remains common despite predominant risk elimination guidelines, with many families struggling to follow rigid rules of avoidance. Risk minimisation considers the complexities of family life and recognises most infant deaths in shared sleep environments are associated with additional risk factors.

Purpose and methods

Integrative review methodology was used to investigate the information parents need to minimise risk for infants under 12 months who share a sleep surface. Database searches included Scopus, CINAHL, PubMed, PsycNET and Emcar

SUBMITTER: Grubb C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12477138 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature