children s health issues
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Prevention of SIDS
Putting infants to sleep on their back Despite the known risk factors for SIDS, there is no certain way to prevent it. However, certain measures seem to help, particularly putting infants to sleep on their back on a firm, flat sleep surface. The number of SIDS deaths has decreased dramatically as more parents have put their infants to sleep on their back for every sleep (see theSafe to Sleep®campaign). Regular prenatal care during pregnancy may help lower the risk of SIDS. Breastfeeding and preventing infants from breathing second-hand smoke may help and clearly have other health benefits. There is no evidence that at-home breathing monitors reduce the risk of SIDS. There is also no evidence to recommend swaddling for prevention of SIDS. Position:Always place the infant on the infant’s back to sleep, for naps and at night. Stomach sleeping, side sleeping, and propping are unsafe. Surface:Place the infant on a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a safety-approved crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet. The surface should not be at an angle or on an incline. Bedding:Keep soft objects, pillows, bumper guards, stuffed toys, stuffed animals, loose blankets, nonfitted sheets, mattress toppers, fur-like materials, quilts, comforters, and weighted blankets, swaddles, or objects out of the infant’s sleep area. No smoking:Do not allow smoking or vaping around the infant. Smoking,nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and illicit drug use should be avoided during pregnancy and after birth. Caregivers should be free of drugs and alcohol. Location:Set up the infant’s sleep area close to but separate from the sleep area of the parents/caregivers and other children. It is recommended that infants sleep in the parents'/caregivers' room close to the parents'/caregivers' bed but on a separate surface designed for infants, ideally for at least the first 6 months. Pacifiers:Consider giving the infant a clean, dry pacifier when placing the infant down for every sleep. For infants who are breastfeeding, wait to give a pacifier until breastfeeding is well established. Temperature:Do not let the infant become too hot or too cold during sleep. Avoid overwrapping the infant or covering the head. Keep the infant warm with layers of clothing instead of with blankets and other coverings. Wearable blankets can also be used. To help prevent flat spots from developing on the infant's head, infants should spend some time on their tummy when they are awake and someone is watching them (tummy time). Parents/caregivers can begin short periods of tummy time soon after hospital discharge. Tummy time should be increased regularly to at least 15 to 30 minutes a day by the time the infant is 7 weeks old. To help make the infant's head round, parents/caregivers should change the direction that the infant lies in while in the crib each week and avoid leaving the infant for too long in car seats, carriers, and bouncers. Home monitors and products that claim to prevent sudden infant death syndrome do not seem helpful. Adapted from The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development'sSafe Infant Sleep Basics: Ways to Reduce Baby’s Risk. 