Sleep Problems and Influencing Factors in Children Aged 0-3 Years

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify sleep problems in children aged 0-3 years and the factors influencing them. Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted online with 366 parents of children aged 0-3 years. Children’s sleep problems and influencing factors were assessed using a seven-question demographic form, and the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire was used to assess infant sleep. Results: Children aged 0-3 years had a late bedtime (21:30) and were awake more than twice a night. They slept an average of 2 hours during the day and 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. Regardless of gender, they slept a total of 10 hours per night. Children who did not have a regular bedtime (54.2%) and had late sleep onset (51.5%) had more sleep problems. In total, 21.5% of the children were awake more than three times a night, 12.7% were awake for more than one hour at night, 8.8% had a total sleep time of less than 9 hours and 34.4% had sleep problems. Children with a total sleep time of less than 9 hours were more likely to have sleep problems. Conclusion: Children aged 0-6 months living in extended families and sleeping out of bed had more sleep problems. The results of the study shed light on factors such as the prevalence of sleep problems in children aged 0-3 years, sleep ecology and hygiene.