News Taffy

This summer my niece had her first baby and though he was born a few weeks early, he is doing well and thriving. Like other first time parents, I’m sure they are nervous about many things concerning the health of their baby and want to do everything they can to give him a good start in life. Recently I read that fewer than half of U.S. infants are always placed on their back to sleep despite evidence that this is the best practice.

Approximately 3500 infants die each year in the U.S. from SIDS or Sudden Infant Death syndrome or other sleep related causes. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has several simple recommendations for creating a safe sleep environment that reduces the risk of SIDS.

Unless otherwise instructed by your pediatrician, infants should always be placed on their backs to sleep from birth throughout the first year of life. There is strong evidence of the relationship between SIDS and sleep position. Certain regions of the brain may be underdeveloped in babies who die from SIDS with recent findings suggesting that they may not be able to wake up when in danger such as from suffocating.

Babies should be placed on a firm crib mattress covered with a fitted sheet. Do not use soft pillows, toys, comforters, blankets or anything which might block the child’s airway if it happened to cover the child’s face. Place the crib in an area free from drafts and dress them in a one piece sleeper for warmth; no other blankets or coverings are necessary. Avoid placing the infant on a waterbed, sofa or other soft surface to sleep, even for a nap.

The AAP also recommends that infants sleep in the same room as the parents, though in their own bed, for at least the first 6 months. Room sharing decreases the risk of SIDS by 50%. Infants are at the greatest risk between 1 and 4 months though soft bedding remains a hazard even for older babies.

Breastfeeding has been shown to protect against SIDS. A pacifier may also help reduce the risk of SIDS but parents should wait to introduce it until after the baby is well adjusted to breastfeeding.

Infants should be placed on their stomach daily when they are supervised to allow for development of their head, stomach and shoulder muscles.

Though it should go without saying, infants should not be exposed to smoke, alcohol or illicit drugs.

Deaths from SIDS has decreased dramatically since the 1990’s when the AAP made the recommendation for back sleeping so do your part to protect your baby. Make sure grandparents, babysitters and other caregivers understand to put him or her to sleep on their back and why.