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Journals / Kadın Sağlığı Hemşireliği Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 12 Sayı: 1

Characteristics of Baby Sleep in the Neonatal Period and the Role of Midwives: A review of current evidence

Yenidoğan Döneminde Bebek Uykusunun Özellikleri ve Ebelerin Rolü: Güncel Kanıtlar Üzerine Bir Derleme

Sevgi Beyazgül(İstanbul Üniversitesi Cerrahpaşa Lisansüstü Eğitim Enstitüsü)0000-0002-0353-4118
Sevil İnal(İstanbul Üniversitesi Cerrahpaşa Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Ebelik Bölümü)0000-0002-3260-1770
Pages
23–34
Publication Date
2026-03-31
DOI
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Multifaceted interventions involving the active participation of midwives will have a positive impact on infant health and parental well-being.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This review aims to examine the sleep characteristics of infants during the neonatal period, as well as the role of midwifery services in this process, by drawing on the most up-to-date evidence available.
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Key Findings & Data:Newborns experience an intense sleep period during the first 28 days of life, which is driven by the significant impact of sleep on physiological, neurological and behavioural development.
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Conclusion & Impact:Multifaceted interventions involving the active participation of midwives will have a positive impact on infant health and parental well-being.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Yenidoğan · Uyku · Ebelik

Abstract

This review aims to examine the sleep characteristics of infants during the neonatal period, as well as the role of midwifery services in this process, by drawing on the most up-to-date evidence available. Newborns experience an intense sleep period during the first 28 days of life, which is driven by the significant impact of sleep on physiological, neurological and behavioural development. Sleep is critical during this period for forming synaptic connections, strengthening the immune system and developing the brain. The review provides an in-depth analysis of the REM/NREM cycle, sleep differences between term and premature infants, physiological changes and environmental factors that influence sleep. Furthermore, it evaluates the effects of factors such as mode of birth, breastfeeding, maternal psychological state, and parental interaction on infant sleep. The review discusses the role of midwifery practices in supporting infant sleep through non-pharmacological methods, such as breastfeeding counselling, kangaroo care, baby massage, music and lullaby-based interventions. The importance of sleep hygiene education and midwife-led home visits is emphasised. Additionally, the scales used to evaluate sleep quality and the incorporation of clinical protocols into midwifery care are examined. It is consequently emphasised that the protective, educational and guiding roles of midwives in regulating newborn sleep should be strengthened at both clinical and societal levels. Multifaceted interventions involving the active participation of midwives will have a positive impact on infant health and parental well-being.

Özet

Bu derleme çalışması, yenidoğan döneminde bebeklerin uyku özelliklerini ve bu süreçte ebelik hizmetlerinin rolünü güncel kanıtlar ışığında incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Yenidoğanlar, yaşamın ilk 28 gününde uykunun fizyolojik, nörolojik ve davranışsal gelişim üzerindeki belirleyici etkilerine bağlı olarak, yoğun bir uyku süreci yaşarlar. Uyku, bu dönemde sinaptik bağlantıların oluşumu, bağışıklık sisteminin güçlenmesi ve beyin gelişimi açısından kritik bir işlev taşımaktadır. Derlemede, REM/NREM döngüsü, term ve prematüre bebeklerde uyku farklılıkları, fizyolojik değişimler ve uykuya etki eden çevresel faktörler ayrıntılı biçimde ele alınmıştır. Bununla birlikte, doğum şekli, anne sütüyle beslenme, annenin psikolojik durumu ve ebeveyn etkileşimi gibi faktörlerin bebek uykusuna olan etkileri de değerlendirilmiştir. Ebelik uygulamalarının bebek uykusunu desteklemedeki yeri, emzirme danışmanlığı, kanguru bakımı, bebek masajı, müzik ve ninni temelli müdahaleler gibi non-farmakolojik yöntemler üzerinden tartışılmış; uyku hijyeni eğitimi ve ebe tarafından yürütülen ev ziyaretlerinin önemine vurgu yapılmıştır. Ayrıca, uyku kalitesinin değerlendirilmesinde kullanılan ölçekler ve klinik protokollerin ebelik bakımına entegrasyonu incelenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, yenidoğan uykusunun düzenlenmesinde ebelerin hem klinik hem toplumsal düzeyde üstlendiği koruyucu, eğitici ve rehberlik eden rollerin güçlendirilmesi gerektiği vurgulanmaktadır. Ebelerin aktif katılımıyla yürütülecek çok boyutlu müdahaleler hem bebek sağlığı hem de ebeveyn refahı açısından olumlu katkılar sağlayacaktır.

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Cite This Article

Beyazgül, S., İnal, S. (2026). Characteristics of Baby Sleep in the Neonatal Period and the Role of Midwives: A review of current evidence. Kadın Sağlığı Hemşireliği Dergisi, Cilt: 12 Sayı: 1, 23–34. https://ajindex.com/articles/1516104

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