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Abstract Introduction While the efficacy and acceptability of infant behavioral sleep intervention has been developed and tested in White families, less is known about how Black mothers understand and perceive behavioral sleep recommendations. The objective of the Sleep Guidance in Black Families with Infant Children (SLUMBER) study was to evaluate the perspectives of Black mothers with infants on the acceptability and cultural appropriateness of standard infant behavioral sleep recommendations. As part of this study, we examined maternal perspectives on participation in an infant behavioral sleep program and desired patient-centered outcomes. Methods Participants were recruited through Black parent groups on Facebook and WhatsApp, along with more general social media campaigns targeting individuals who identified as Black. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Black mothers (n=18; 55.6% with a college degree) with an infant 9 months (M=4.5, SD=2.8; 66.7% male). Interview transcripts were analyzed within the NVivo software using a grounded theory thematic descriptive approach. Results Many mothers (n=11, 61.1%) indicated a high interest level in participating in a sleep program. Facilitators to participation included addressing current problem areas with their infant’s sleep and social support. The most identified barrier to participation was potential poor alignment between program recommendations and personal values, particularly pertaining to the acceptability of approaches involving infant crying without immediate intervention. Desired program outcomes that mothers most frequently described included a more consistent or predictable sleep/wake pattern, their baby learning to sleep independently, and increased sleep consolidation. Conclusion Black mothers endorsed high interest in participating in an infant behavioral sleep program, although over one-third were not interested. Personal and cultural alignment with program recommendations is important to parents, supporting the need for culturally sensitive interventions, with particular attention to variability in perceived acceptability of approaches involving infant crying. Infant behavioral sleep intervention programs should focus on achieving patient-centered outcomes, such as schedule consistency and sleep consolidation. Support (if any) This research is supported by The Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital through Grant Number R49CE003074 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Chung's time is supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute under award number 1K01HL169419-01.
Ahmed et al. (Sat,) studied this question.