Randomised controlled trial of behavioural infant sleep intervention to improve infant sleep and maternal mood

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effect of a behavioural sleep intervention with written information about normal sleep on infant sleep problems and maternal depression. Design: Randomised controlled trial. Setting: Well child clinics, Melbourne, Australia. Participants: 156 mothers of infants aged 6-12 months with severe sleep problems according to the parents. Main outcome measures: Maternal report of infant sleep problem; scores on Edinburgh postnatal depression scale at two and four months. Intervention: Discussion on behavioural infant sleep intervention (controlled crying) delivered over three consultations. Results: At two months more sleep problems had resolved in the intervention group tha..