Differences in infant safe sleep practice between the neonatal unit and the home environment: A systematised review
Hickling, Anna Mason, Libuse Chapman, Vicky Barnes, Donna
Hickling, Anna
Mason, Libuse
Chapman, Vicky
Barnes, Donna
Abstract
Background: Infant positioning in the neonatal unit differs from guidelines for home infant safe sleep practice. This qualitative systematised review aims to identify reasons behind the difference and the implications. Method(s): Five databases were searched (CINAHL complete, Pubmed, Embase, NICE Evidence Search, and Directory of Open Access Journals) for primary research published from 2011 to February 2022. Quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme or Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. Thematic analysis with inductive coding was used to develop a narrative synthesis. Finding(s): Searches returned sixty-two studies; seven were included. Four themes were identified: prone position, self-regulation, all positions (prone, supine, right and left lateral), and nesting. Conclusion(s): Sleep positioning in the neonatal unit differs from infant safe sleep guidance to optimise holistic development for vulnerable infants. Once infants are medically stable, neonatal nurses should support parents with establishing a safe sleep environment compliant with infant safe sleep guidance. Copyright © 2025 Neonatal Nurses Association
MIDER Authors
Affiliations
Date
2025-4
Type
Article
Subject
Citation
Hickling, A., Mason, L., Chapman, V. and Barnes, D. (2025) 'Differences in infant safe sleep practice between the neonatal unit and the home environment: A systematised review', Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 31(2), pp. 101622. doi: 10.1016/j.jnn.2025.101622 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnn.2025.101622.