Sleep Well, Little Sweetheart - A formative evaluation of a guided digital intervention for sleep difficulties in young children

About 20-40% of infants and young children between 6 months and 3 years of age have difficulties initiating and/or maintaining sleep, characterized by frequent night awakenings or early morning-awakening, without parental intervention (i.e., childhood insomnia). Childhood insomnia in young children may impact their health and development, as well as their parents' sleep and well-being. Many parents desire changes related to their child's sleep and seek help online and from friends, family and health personnel. Child-health clinics are often the first place for parents to seek professional healthcare services in Norway. However, sleep problems are multidimensional and complex. Hence, many parents and health professionals see the need for more knowledge and evidence-based tools for child sleep problems. To this end, the Regional Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (RBUP), Eastern and Southern Norway, which is a public intermediary organization, has developed a blended Internet- and mobil-based intervention called “Sleep Well, Little Sweetheart” (in Norwegian: "Sov Godt"). The intervention program is designed to help parents with children aged 6 months to 3 years with childhood insomnia.