Fathers demonstrated gaps in infant safe-sleep knowledge and behaviors, particularly regarding breastfeeding, wearable blankets, room-sharing, and pacifier usage, suggesting a need for interactive learning geared toward male caregivers on AAP recommendations for preventing sleep-related deaths.
The lowest reported knowledge areas for safe-sleep practices among fathers were breastfeeding and wearable blankets being protective against SUID.
A smaller percentage of fathers reported their baby never slept in the same bed as someone else, and similarly reported never placing their baby to sleep in an adult bed.
Fewer fathers correctly reported practicing room-sharing and pacifier usage, which are AAP-recommended protective behaviors.
In Indianapolis, 130 infants died in 2022 before their first birthday, with 17% attributed to SUIDs.
Interactive learning geared toward male caregivers focusing on soft bedding risks, breastfeeding benefits, pacifier usage, and room-sharing was identified as key to lowering SUID rates.
This research suggests that fathers have notable gaps in their knowledge and practice of safe infant sleep behaviors, particularly in areas such as breastfeeding's protective role, the use of wearable blankets, pacifier use during sleep, and room-sharing without bed-sharing. The study surveyed 85 fathers over a five-year period in Indianapolis, a city where 17% of infant deaths in 2022 were classified as sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID). Fathers were less likely to correctly practice or identify behaviors recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant death, and a notable portion reported allowing their baby to sleep in an adult bed or share a bed with another person — both considered unsafe practices. This research matters because fathers and male caregivers are an often-overlooked audience in infant safe-sleep education, even though they play an active role in nighttime caregiving. Most safe-sleep campaigns and educational materials have historically been directed at mothers or general caregivers, leaving fathers without targeted guidance. The study highlights that there is a real need for interactive, father-focused educational programming that addresses specific knowledge gaps around bedding safety, pacifier use, breastfeeding benefits, and appropriate sleep arrangements. The practical implication of these findings is that public health efforts to reduce SUID should be intentionally designed to reach fathers and male caregivers with clear, accessible information about AAP safe-sleep guidelines. By addressing the specific knowledge and behavior gaps identified in this study — such as the protective effects of breastfeeding and pacifier use, and the risks of soft bedding and bed-sharing — health educators and pediatric providers may be able to meaningfully contribute to lowering infant sleep-related death rates.
Funches L, Slaven J, Swigonski N. (2026). Infant Sleep Behavior Practices and Knowledge of Fathers: An Exploratory and Descriptive Study.. American journal of men's health. https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883261427173