The SLeep solUtions to proMote Better Early childhood Relationships (SLUMBER) Program: Helping families optimize infant mental health by supporting sleep health in early childhood

Most parents struggle with their baby’s sleep in the first year. Severe and persistent sleep difficulties can harm parent-child relationships and infant and parental mental health. Parental education, individual consultations, and/or group sessions can help parents improve their baby’s sleep but parents are often overwhelmed with rigid or conflicting advice. Canadian families are diverse, and what works for one may not work for others. For example, a family may be impacted by depression, poverty, or both, and these intersecting factors will affect what educational content and delivery will work best. The SLeep solUtions to proMote Better Early childhood Relationships (SLUMBER) program will give families options to meet their specific needs to get everyone sleeping better. Each part of the program will be designed in partnership with parents. We will develop groups of program options (portfolios) and test them to see who, how, and why they help. This personalized approach will prevent and/or lessen sleep problems with the added benefit of supporting parent-infant relationships and infant mental health. Having a baby is stressful, and this research will support sleep as a foundational pillar of family mental health and well-being.