Enhancing maternal sleep health in Aotearoa New Zealand: insights from the Wāhi Kōrero platform
Maternal sleep health is crucial for maternal wellbeing, particularly maternal mental health which has implications for the wellbeing of children, families and whānau. In Aotearoa New Zealand, the Well Child Tamariki Ora (WCTO) service provides a unique opportunity to support mothers, their families...
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| Format: | Article |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-10-01
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| Series: | Kōtuitui |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/1177083X.2025.2519168 |
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| author | Zoe Walsh Diane Muller T. Leigh Signal M. Breheny C. Severinsen Felicity Ware Angelique Reweti |
| author_facet | Zoe Walsh Diane Muller T. Leigh Signal M. Breheny C. Severinsen Felicity Ware Angelique Reweti |
| author_sort | Zoe Walsh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Maternal sleep health is crucial for maternal wellbeing, particularly maternal mental health which has implications for the wellbeing of children, families and whānau. In Aotearoa New Zealand, the Well Child Tamariki Ora (WCTO) service provides a unique opportunity to support mothers, their families, and whānau by providing education on sleep health for both mothers and children. However, there is a need for a deeper understanding of mothers' experiences with WCTO and the sleep information they receive to enhance these services. This primary research used data gathered from the Wāhi Kōrero online story-sharing platform, with 181 stories focusing specifically on sleep. Using thematic analysis, three key themes were identified: maternal instinct as a guide in navigating child sleep practices, promoting strength-based rather than deficit-focused approaches, and the necessity to move beyond rigid, monocultural service models. Findings underscore the importance of tailoring maternal and child health services to better meet the needs and perspectives of mothers, their families, and whānau, particularly in the areas of sleep and maternal mental health. Implications of findings for future policy and practice are discussed, including developing strength-based, culturally responsive approaches within services like WCTO, and adapting policy to support more flexible, whānau-centred models of care.Glossary of Kupu Māori words: Aotearoa: Māori name of New Zealand; hapū: pregnant; kaupapa Māori: Māori ideology – a philosophical doctrine, incorporating the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of Māori society; kōrero: to tell, say, speak, read, talk, address; Māori: Indigenous people of Aotearoa-NZ; Pākehā: New Zealander of European descent; Kāhui Rangahau: expert advisory group; wāhine: female, women; whānau: family or closely connected kin group |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-17343081df7f47fd8cf11fa219470011 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1177-083X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-10-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Kōtuitui |
| spelling | doaj-art-17343081df7f47fd8cf11fa2194700112025-08-20T03:59:25ZengTaylor & Francis GroupKōtuitui1177-083X2025-10-012041229124610.1080/1177083X.2025.2519168Enhancing maternal sleep health in Aotearoa New Zealand: insights from the Wāhi Kōrero platformZoe Walsh0Diane Muller1T. Leigh Signal2M. Breheny3C. Severinsen4Felicity Ware5Angelique Reweti6Doctorate of Clinical Psychology Programme, Massey University, Wellington, New ZealandSchool of Health Sciences, College of Health, Massey University, Wellington, New ZealandSchool of Health Sciences, College of Health, Massey University, Wellington, New ZealandSchool of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New ZealandSchool of Health Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New ZealandHāpai te Hauora: Māori Public Health, Auckland, New ZealandSchool of Health Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New ZealandMaternal sleep health is crucial for maternal wellbeing, particularly maternal mental health which has implications for the wellbeing of children, families and whānau. In Aotearoa New Zealand, the Well Child Tamariki Ora (WCTO) service provides a unique opportunity to support mothers, their families, and whānau by providing education on sleep health for both mothers and children. However, there is a need for a deeper understanding of mothers' experiences with WCTO and the sleep information they receive to enhance these services. This primary research used data gathered from the Wāhi Kōrero online story-sharing platform, with 181 stories focusing specifically on sleep. Using thematic analysis, three key themes were identified: maternal instinct as a guide in navigating child sleep practices, promoting strength-based rather than deficit-focused approaches, and the necessity to move beyond rigid, monocultural service models. Findings underscore the importance of tailoring maternal and child health services to better meet the needs and perspectives of mothers, their families, and whānau, particularly in the areas of sleep and maternal mental health. Implications of findings for future policy and practice are discussed, including developing strength-based, culturally responsive approaches within services like WCTO, and adapting policy to support more flexible, whānau-centred models of care.Glossary of Kupu Māori words: Aotearoa: Māori name of New Zealand; hapū: pregnant; kaupapa Māori: Māori ideology – a philosophical doctrine, incorporating the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of Māori society; kōrero: to tell, say, speak, read, talk, address; Māori: Indigenous people of Aotearoa-NZ; Pākehā: New Zealander of European descent; Kāhui Rangahau: expert advisory group; wāhine: female, women; whānau: family or closely connected kin grouphttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/1177083X.2025.2519168Maternal sleep healthhealth equityinfantmaternal wellbeingmaternal support |
| spellingShingle | Zoe Walsh Diane Muller T. Leigh Signal M. Breheny C. Severinsen Felicity Ware Angelique Reweti Enhancing maternal sleep health in Aotearoa New Zealand: insights from the Wāhi Kōrero platform Kōtuitui Maternal sleep health health equity infant maternal wellbeing maternal support |
| title | Enhancing maternal sleep health in Aotearoa New Zealand: insights from the Wāhi Kōrero platform |
| title_full | Enhancing maternal sleep health in Aotearoa New Zealand: insights from the Wāhi Kōrero platform |
| title_fullStr | Enhancing maternal sleep health in Aotearoa New Zealand: insights from the Wāhi Kōrero platform |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhancing maternal sleep health in Aotearoa New Zealand: insights from the Wāhi Kōrero platform |
| title_short | Enhancing maternal sleep health in Aotearoa New Zealand: insights from the Wāhi Kōrero platform |
| title_sort | enhancing maternal sleep health in aotearoa new zealand insights from the wahi korero platform |
| topic | Maternal sleep health health equity infant maternal wellbeing maternal support |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/1177083X.2025.2519168 |
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