The impact of a hospital-based educational video on maternal perceptions and planned practices of infant safe sleep.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether an educational video would impact infant sleep practices among new mothers. DESIGN AND METHODS: Survey responses of new mothers who did (n = 43) versus did not (n = 49) watch the educational video were compared to identify differences in observed and planned infant sleep practices. RESULTS: Mothers who watched the video were more likely to observe safe sleep practices while in the hospital (67.4% vs. 46.9%, p < .05). They were also less likely to plan for (unsafe) side positioning (23.9% vs. 7.1%, p < .05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Given the potentially fatal consequence of unsafe sleep, a brief video provided by nursing staff can be a prudent component of new parent education.