Promoting Safe Sleep: The Role of Doulas in Black Communities

TL;DR

This study explores how doulas in Black communities help promote safe sleep practices for infants, despite challenges like cultural differences and lack of formal training.

Contribution

The study reveals doulas' commitment to safe sleep and their role in adapting practices to meet the needs of Black caregivers.

Findings

Doulas provide individualized and culturally sensitive safe sleep guidance.

Doulas help caregivers negotiate and integrate safe sleep practices into their lifestyles.

Many doulas express a need for more training and resources on safe sleep.

Abstract

Accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed continues to be a critical issue in Black communities, despite the widespread initiatives to promote safe sleep. Doulas are in an ideal position to promote safe sleep, particularly in hard-to-reach communities that are more distrusting of conventional medical providers. Little is known about their practices and perspectives for putting infants down to rest. This study informs this gap in the literature.

The purpose of this study was to explore doulas’ perspectives and practices in the field of putting infants down to sleep. The researchers aimed to determine whether Black caregivers that work with doulas are likely to encounter safe sleep education.

The researchers used a descriptive approach to inquiry. They conducted three focus groups with a total of 17 Black doulas. The researchers independently and critically reviewed the transcriptions and observation notes from each group to identify codes. They then triangulated the results using Artificial Intelligence-driven tools.

The study found four themes: (1) Individualized Services, (2) Cultural Sensitivity, (3) Negotiating Safety, and (4) Safe Sleep Education.

The study concluded doulas have a commitment to promoting safe sleep. The researchers found that doulas engage in practices that help caregivers to integrate safe sleep practices into their lifestyle and to adapt them to meet their needs. The researchers also documented a desire for more information and instruction on safe sleep among practicing doulas.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10995-024-03928-0.

Scholars recognize that doulas play a vital role in infant and maternal health in Black communities, but little is known about their role in promoting safe sleep. This study contributes to this knowledge base, revealing that doulas uphold a commitment to safe sleep practices and are integral in helping Black caregivers negotiate safe sleep.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10995-024-03928-0.