INVESTIGATION OF PARENT SOLUTION STRATEGIES TO SLEEP PROBLEMS IN 0-3 YEARS OLD BABIES

Abstract

The main aim of this research is to examine the solution strategies sleep problems developed by parents that have infants aged 0-3 in sleep problems. This study is a qualitative study in which data was collected through in-depth interviews with 11 parents living in Istanbul and having babies aged 0-3, through a semi-structured questionnaire. A semi-structured question form is created from questions that include information about parents and babies, children's sleep patterns, problems related to sleep, and strategies for solving sleep. The data was analyzed by researchers using the MAXQDA 2020.4 package program. Themes and codes were created with deciphering the collected data. Themes and codes were created with deciphering the collected data.Participants ' statements were encoded 511 times under 36 headings and collected under 3 themes:descriptive information, strategies for solving sleep problems with obvious causes, and strategies for solving sleep problems that are unknown causes.In addition the relationship between themes and codes were examined. Topics covered most frequently by the participants; sleeping style (9.98%), sleeping place (9.20%) and colic-related sleep problems (6.26%). The most common methods that parents use to solve and prevent sleep problems of their children are to put babies who are very mobile to sleep in a more risk-free place, to give them time to sleep in case of resisting sleep, not to play games before sleep, to hold the baby when he cries, to listen to music, to ensure silence at home. Family members are advised to seek advice from experts on how to solve sleep problems.