Settling to sleep strategies 

8 September 2006

Professor Lynne Murray, Alison Cronin and colleagues from Reading and Oxford Universities have studied physiological, psychological and behavioural factors to gain a better understanding of mother/baby interactions and the impact this might have on a baby's health.

One part of the study looked at the ways that families from different backgrounds settled their babies to sleep. Using video observations and questionnaires, the study found that high-risk families settled their baby to sleep in noisier, more brightly-lit environments with an active adult presence.  Low-risk families were more likely to encourage their baby to self-settle with sleep aids such as calm music.

The study found that babies in high-risk families were also more likely to be placed to sleep on the front or side instead of the back, and to sleep with a duvet.