Sudden Infant Death Syndrome:
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – Prevention Guidelines, By Natasha Burgert, MD, FAAP (@doctornatasha),
Following the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference, Dr Natasha Burgert (@kckidsdoc) shares some key information that emerged from the recently concluded conference.
A SIDS Primer: Sleep Well. Sleep Safe.
There is nothing more terrifying for any family than the thought of infant loss. Sadly, despite increasing education on SIDS-prevention practices, the rate of sudden infant death is climbing in the US. This is concerning for those of us who devote our lives to child health because many of these deaths are preventable.
Researchers believe that the increasing death rate is partly due to families choosing to avoid safer sleep guidelines. Evidence suggests that although many parents know the safer way to sleep, some families “give up” on these practices because of parental fatigue, anxiety, or desperation for baby to sleep. Other parents don’t follow safer practices because they falsely believe SIDS is not preventable, and the guidelines won’t change a baby’s “fate.” A smaller group may be relying on products falsely marketed for SIDS-protection.
Here’s the reality: Creating a safe sleep environment and making the decision to follow through with your safe sleep plan, even when times get tired and tough, are the very best things you can do to prevent your new little one from suffocation.
The goal for all families should be quality sleep. For babies, this means back to sleep for every sleep, even when in the hospital after delivery. And after the baby comes home, it’s essential to create a safe sleeping environment based on the scientific evidence we know is protective. Finally, SIDS prevention is also about choosing healthy habits to support a loving and nurturing environment as your baby sleeps and grows.
Learn and follow these SIDS-prevention tips:
1 Back to sleep. Every sleep. Baby should be sleeping on her back, never on her belly.
2 Boring and bare. Baby’s sleep environment should be a simple flat, firm mattress with a tight-fitting sheet. No bumper pads. No blankets. No toys. No cords from monitors should be in the sleep space.
3 Room share. Baby should be in her sleep space in the same room where your sleep, but never in the sharing the same bed.
4 Breastfeed. If you are able, choose to breastfeed to nourish your baby.
5 Pacifiers are OK. Once breastfeeding is established, putting baby to sleep with a pacifier is shown to decrease SIDS.
6 Vaccinate. Routine vaccinations are protective against infant death.
7 Don’t smoke. Keep baby away from others who smoke, and places where people smoke.
And remember:
It’s OK to wake. A healthy infant should wake periodically throughout the night for comfort and feedings. Sleeping “through the night” should not be an immediate expectation.
• Even babies with reflux can safely sleep on their backs.
• If you are sleepy, it’s safer to feed your baby in a bed free of all blankets and pillows, than to feed on a cushioned couch or chair. If you do fall asleep while feeding, move baby to her safe sleep space as soon as you wake.
Safe sleep is hard, but the commitment to safety is easy. If you follow the evidence-based suggestions for baby’s safer sleep, everyone can rest easy knowing you have done your best to protect baby from needless risk.
Sweet dreams!
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About the author: Dr. Natasha Burgert is a board-certified pediatrician in Kansas City, MO and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She shares evidenced-based child health information blended with her experience as a mom of two on KCKidsDoc.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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DADDY TO BE MOMMY TO BE MOTHERHOOD NEW MOM NEWBORN PARENTHOOD SIDS
My baby doesn’t like sleeping on her back and wakes after 10mins of putting her in the Moses Basket. She sleeps for longer on our chest and also on her side.