The first period after a baby's birth is a special and intensive time for new parents. They often face quite a few challenges, such as caring for a newborn during both day and night, frequent feedings, the baby’s crying, and adjusting to parenthood. Parents sleep less, are often tired, and may also experience feelings of stress and low mood. Increased symptoms of depression or anxiety occur in about 1 in 4 to 5 mothers after childbirth, and in about 1 in 10 fathers. At present, little is known about nighttime caregiving for the baby and its impact on both the mental and physical health of parents, as well as the development and well-being of the child.
Nightly Dance project
In the Nightly Dance project, we aim to find answers to these questions. This project is part of my PhD research, which I started in May 2025, and I approach it from my background as a medical doctor and Technical Physician. The project is a collaboration between Radboudumc, Radboud University, the University of Twente, and an advisory panel consisting of maternity care professionals, parents, a pediatrician, and psychiatric nurses specialised in the perinatal period.
Mapping nighttime caregiving behavior
Using automated measurements and questionnaires, we map nighttime caregiving behavior and its effects on both parents and the child. We do this from 2 months before birth until 6 months after birth. To study the long-term effects, parents will also complete a number of questionnaires one year after the birth. Our goal is to better support new parents with advice and preventive programs, in order to promote parents' mental and physical health and children's healthy development.