The ABC’s: Safe Sleep For Your Baby

By Emily Magnus.

Despite campaigns to increase safe sleep awareness, a recent study has shown that as many as 21% of one month old babies are not being placed to sleep on recommended surfaces, 14% are placed in other positions than on their back (supine), which is recommended, and 91% had loose, or non approved items in their sleep area.

This means that these babies are at an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This condition affects roughly 300 babies annually in the UK, and 3000 in the US, and can occur generally within the first 6 months of life. The exact cause of SIDS is unknown, but recommendations for avoidance of SIDS include not smoking around the newborn and placing the baby in the supine position for sleep.

The ABC “safe sleep” recommendations are:
A – Alone. There is an increased risk of SIDS when co-sleeping. So ensure that your baby is alone in the crib, without toys, pets or pillows. Additionally, your baby should not be asleep with you in your bed.

B – Back. Ensure that your baby is placed on their back for sleep, ideally until one year old. But once rolling from back to stomach, stomach to back has been successfully learned, this may also mark when a baby can safely sleep in other positions. Additionally, place your baby “feet to feet”, which means that their feet are touching the bottom of the cot.

C – Crib. Always ensure that your cot, bassinet, pram etc. meet current health and safety standards. For example, drop side cribs are no longer accepted as safe to use and should not be sold by retailers. The cot should have a firm mattress and a tight fitting sheet, and the baby should be at the correct temperature.

So why is it that the message about safe sleep hasn’t broken through? Perhaps as new parents you feel guilty taking a favourite toy away, or give the toy to ensure a few moments peace. Can we lay blame with retailers? Selling products like sleeping positioners, which can pose a suffocation risk. Or is our health care service not giving enough advice about safe sleep during the prenatal, as well as postnatal period?

For further information, please look at the NHS Website for SIDS

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Sudden-infant-death-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx

or read the paper, published in Pediatrics

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2016/08/11/peds.2016-1533

If SIDS or other causes of child bereavement affects you or anyone you know, the Lullaby Trust can provide support. Specially trained advisers are available on their helpline. The number is 0808 802 6868 and it’s open Monday to Friday (10am-5pm), and at weekends and public holidays (6pm-10pm).