Night Waking in Infants: Effects of Providing Advice and Support for Parents

A randomized controlled study was conducted with three groups of mothers with night waking infants less than 18 mths. Groups received a specially written advice booklet and support visits, the booklet only or no intervention. A fourth group of non-night waking infants acted as a comparison group. Mothers' estimates of waking frequency and infant sleep diaries and maternal well being measures were used to assess change. No significant differences in terms of outcome measures were found between three waking groups. Mothers of night wakers showed higher levels of distress than those in the sleeping group. Parents of wakers were positive about both the support they had received and the booklet.