An Integrative Review of the Sleep Experiences of Mothers of Hospitalized Preterm Infants.
Kelley Baumgartel, Francesca Facco
PMID 30077237WHAT IT FOUND
Mothers of hospitalized preterm infants consistently experience poor sleep, high fatigue, and severe insomnia, regardless of depression status or room-sharing options.
Interventions like relaxation may help, but evidence is limited. Nurses should integrate sleep hygiene into care plans alongside milk expression.
Key findings
01Across 17 studies, mothers of hospitalized preterm infants reported disrupted sleep, high fatigue, and severe insomnia, with sleep quality often deteriorating over time.
02Mothers who gave birth via cesarean section experienced shorter total sleep time and more fragmented sleep compared to those who gave birth vaginally.
03Interventions such as progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery were associated with improved sleep quality, while bright light therapy showed non-significant improvements in total sleep time and fatigue.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The review included only 17 studies with a total of 898 mothers, limiting the generalizability of findings. Definitions of 'preterm' varied across studies (gestational age vs. birth weight), making comparisons difficult. Many studies did not separate mothers of preterm infants from those of term infants in their analyses. The quality of evidence was mixed, with some intervention studies having small sample sizes and lacking rigorous controls. Few studies examined the impact of the NICU environment on sleep using qualitative methods.
Declared interests
The authors report no conflicts of interest or relevant financial relationships. No commercial support was received.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that room-sharing or private spaces automatically improve maternal sleep. The review found that severe insomnia and poor sleep persisted regardless of these environmental options, driven largely by stress, anxiety, and the demands of milk expression.