Examination of the Opinions of Women in Their Third Trimester of Pregnancy on Infant Sleep Patterns and Feeding Behaviors

Year 2026, Volume: 13 Issue: 1 , 228 - 251 , 30.04.2026

Ayşıl Seda Togur , Aysel Köksal Akyol

https://doi.org/10.21020/husbfd.1768032

https://izlik.org/JA76NL42EA

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to examine the views of women in the third trimester of pregnancy regarding infants’ sleep patterns and feeding behaviors.
Materials and Methods: The research's study group, designed with a phenomenological approach, includes 13 pregnant women in their third trimester who are visiting the NST unit of a university hospital for their first pregnancy. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview form and analyzedusing content analysis in the MAXQDA 2022 program, with validity and reliability ensured throughout the data analysis process.
Results: The data were analyzed around two main themes: Perspectives on Infant Sleep Patterns and Perspectives on Infant Feeding Behaviors. Most pregnant women reported plans to have their infants sleep in the same room but in separate cribs or playpens, arrange the sleep environment, place their infants in a side-lying position, and support them in transitioning to independent sleep. They also mentioned starting preparations for their infants to sleep entirely in their own rooms after 6–7 months, and supporting them in returning to sleep after nighttime awakenings. Most participants believed their infants’ feeding behaviors would be influenced by their own and their close social environment’s eating habits, and that they would support self-feeding with hands or utensils once developmentally appropriate.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that although pregnant women need informational support in some areas, they generally understand infants’ sleep and feeding patterns and tend to adapt to their babies’ natural rhythms. Prenatal education within primary preventive health services may help support this process.

Keywords

Infant , feeding behavior , pregnancy , sleep pattern , third trimester

Gebeliğinin Üçüncü Trimesterindeki Kadınların Bebeklerde Uyku Düzeni ve Beslenme Davranışları ile ilgili Görüşlerinin İncelenmesi

https://izlik.org/JA76NL42EA

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma gebeliğinin üçüncü trimesterinde bulunan kadınların bebeklerde uyku düzeni ve beslenme davranışlarına ilişkin görüşlerini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Fenomenolojik desende tasarlanan araştırmanın çalışma grubunu, üniversite hastanesinin NST birimine başvuran ve ilk gebeliğini yaşayan, üçüncü trimesterdeki 13 gebe kadın oluşturmaktadır. Veriler, yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu kullanılarak toplanmış; geçerlik ve güvenirlik ilkeleri gözetilerek MAXQDA 2022 programı aracılığıyla içerik analizi yöntemiyle çözümlenmiştir.
Bulgular: Veriler iki ana tema etrafında analiz edilmiştir: Bebek Uyku Düzenine İlişkin Görüşler ve Bebek Beslenme Davranışlarına İlişkin Görüşler. Gebe kadınların büyük çoğunluğu, bebeklerinin aynı odada ancak ayrı beşik ya da oyun parkında uyumasını planladıklarını, uyku ortamını düzenlemeyi düşündüklerini, bebeklerini yan pozisyonda yatırmayı ve bağımsız uykuya geçişlerini desteklemeyi hedeflediklerini ifade etmiştir. Ayrıca 6–7. aydan sonra bebeklerinin tamamen kendi odalarında uyumalarına yönelik hazırlıklara başlamayı ve gece uyanmaları sonrasında yeniden uykuya dönmelerini desteklemeyi planladıklarını belirtmişlerdir. Katılımcıların çoğu, bebeklerinin beslenme davranışlarının kendi ve yakın sosyal çevrelerinin yeme alışkanlıklarından etkileneceğini düşündüklerini ve gelişimsel olarak uygun dönemde elleriyle ya da gereçler kullanarak kendi kendine beslenmeyi detekleyeceklerine inanıyorlardı.
Sonuç: Bulgular, gebe kadınların bazı konularda bilgi desteğine ihtiyaç duymalarına karşın, genel olarak bebeklerin uyku ve beslenme düzenlerini anladıklarını ve bebeklerinin doğal ritimlerine uyum sağlama eğiliminde olduklarını göstermektedir. Birincil koruyucu sağlık hizmetleri kapsamında sunulacak prenatal eğitimler, bu sürecin desteklenmesine katkı sağlayabilir.

Keywords

Bebek , beslenme davranışı , gebelik , uyku düzeni , üçüncü trimester

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