Original PDF Flash format a-parents/'-guide-to-safe-sleep  


A Parents/' Guide To Safe Sleep

A Parents’ Guide to Safe Sleep
Helping you to reduce the risk of SIDS
Did You Know?
Who is at Risk
what c an I do to
• About one in five sudden infant death syndrome
for SIDS?:
help spread the
(SIDS) deaths occur while an infant is in the
• SIDS is the leading cause of death for infants
word about Back
care of someone other than a parent. Many
between 1 month and 12 months of age.
to Sleep?
of these deaths occur when babies who are
• SIDS is most common among infants that are
used to sleeping on their backs at home are
• Be aware of safe sleep practices and how they
2-4 months old. However, babies can die of
then placed to sleep on their tummies by
can be made a part of our everyday lives.
SIDS until they are 1 year old.
another caregiver. We call this “unaccustomed
• When shopping in stores with crib displays that
tummy sleeping.”
show heavy quilts, pillows, and stuffed animals,
• Unaccustomed tummy sleeping increases
What c an I do
talk to the manager about safe sleep, and ask
the risk of SIDS. Babies who are used to
before my baby
them not to display cribs in this way.
sleeping on their backs and are placed to sleep
is born to reduce
• Monitor the media. When you see an ad or a
on their tummies are 18 times more likely to die
the risk of SIDS?
picture in the paper that shows a baby sleeping
from SIDS.
on her tummy, write a letter to the editor.
Take care of yourself during pregnancy and
You can reduce your baby’s risk of dying of
after the birth of your baby. During pregnancy,
• If you know teenagers who take care of babies,
SIDS by talking to those who care for your baby,
before you even give birth, you can reduce the
talk with them. They may need help with
including child care providers, babysitters,
risk of your baby dying from SIDS! Don’t smoke
following the proper safe sleep practices.
family, and friends, about placing your baby
or expose yourself to others’ smoke while you
• Set a good example – realize that you may not
to sleep on his back at night and during naps.
are pregnant and after the baby is born. Be sure
have slept on your back as a baby, but we now
to visit a physician for regular prenatal checkups
know that this is the safest way for babies to
to reduce your risk of having a low birth weight
sleep. When placing babies to sleep, be sure to
or premature baby. Breastfeed your baby, if
always place them on their backs.
possible, at least through the first year of life.
It is easy and free
Know the truth…
to make safe sleep
SIDS is not c aused by:
practices a part of
• Immunizations
your daily life.
• Vomiting or choking
This way, you will know that you are doing all
that you can to keep your baby healthy and safe.
Do your best to follow the guidelines above.
Where is the safest
place for my baby
to sleep?
The safest place for your baby to sleep is in
the room where you sleep. Place the baby’s
crib or bassinet near your bed (within an arm’s
reach). This makes it easier to breastfeed and to
bond with your baby.
The crib or bassinet should be free from toys,
soft bedding, blankets, and pillows. (See picture
on next page.)
Supported in part by Grant No. U46 MC 04436 from the Maternal
and Child Health Bureau (Title V, Social Security Act), Health
Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health
and Human Services.
Face up to wake up – healthy
Do not place pillows, quilts, toys,
If a light blanket is needed, tuck
Supervised tummy time during
babies sleep safest on their backs.
or anything in the crib.
all sides along bottom half of crib,
play is important to baby’s healthy
below baby’s arms.
development.
How c an I reduce my
Talk about safe
Resources:
baby ’s risk?
sleep practices with
American Academy of Pediatrics
Follow these guidelines to help you reduce your
everyone who c ares
http://www.aappolicy.org
baby’s risk of dying from SIDS.
for your baby!
The Changing Concept of Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome: Diagnostic Coding Shifts, Controver-
When looking for someone to take care of your
sies Regarding the Sleeping Environment, and
Safe Sleep Practices
baby, including a child care provider, a family
member, or a friend, make sure that you talk
New Variables to Consider in Reducing Risk
• Always place babies to sleep on their backs
with this person about safe sleep practices.
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/
during naps and at nighttime. Because babies
Bring this fact sheet along to help, if needed. If
pediatrics;116/5/1245.pdf
sleeping on their sides are more likely to
a caregiver does not know the best safe sleep
Healthy Child Care America
accidentally roll onto their stomach, the side
practices, respectfully try to teach the caregiver
http://www.healthychildcare.org
position is not as safe as the back and is not
what you have learned about safe sleep
recommended.
practices and the importance of following these
National Resource Center for Health and
rules when caring for infants. Before leaving
• Don’t cover the heads of babies with a blanket
Safety in Child Care and Early Education
your baby with anyone, be sure that person
or overbundle them in clothing and blankets.
http://nrc.uchsc.edu
agrees that the safe sleep practices explained in
• Avoid letting the baby get too hot. The baby
this brochure will be followed all of the time.
Healthy Kids, Healthy Care: A Parent Friendly
could be too hot if you notice sweating, damp
Tool on Health and Safety Issues in Child Care
hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash, and rapid
Is it ever safe to
http://www.healthykids.us
breathing. Dress the baby lightly for sleep.
Set the room temperature in a range that is
have babies on
National Institute for Child and Human
comfortable for a lightly clothed adult.
their tummies?
Development Back to Sleep Campaign
Order free educational materials from the
Yes! You should talk to your child care provider
Back to Sleep Campaign at
Safe Sleep
about making tummy time a part of your baby’s
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/sids/sids.cfm
Environment
daily activities. Your baby needs plenty of tummy
time while supervised and awake to help build
First Candle/SIDS Alliance
• Place your baby in a safety-approved crib
strong neck and shoulder muscles. Remember to
http://www.firstcandle.org
with a firm mattress and a well-fitting sheet
also make sure that your baby is having tummy
(cradles and bassinets may be used, but
time at home with you.
Association of SIDS and Infant
choose those that are JPMA (Juvenile
Mortality Programs
Products Manufacturers Association)
Tummy to Play and
http://www.asip1.org
certified for safety).
Back to Sleep
CJ Foundation for SIDS
• Place the crib in an area that is always
http://www.cjsids.com
• Place babies to sleep on their backs to reduce
smoke free.
the risk of SIDS. Side sleeping is not as safe as
National SIDS and Infant Death Resource Center
• Don’t place babies to sleep on adult beds,
back sleeping and is not advised. Babies sleep
http://www.sidscenter.org/
chairs, sofas, waterbeds, or cushions.
comfortably on their backs, and no special
• Toys and other soft bedding, including fluffy
equipment or extra money is needed.
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers
blankets, comforters, pillows, stuffed animals,
• “Tummy time” is playtime when infants are
Association
and wedges should not be placed in the crib
awake and placed on their tummies while
http://www.jpma.org/
with the baby. These items can impair the infant’s
someone is watching them. Have tummy time
ability to breathe if they cover his face.
to allow babies to develop normally.
• Breastfeed your baby. Experts recommend that
If you have questions about safe sleep practices
mothers feed their children human milk at least
please contact Healthy Child Care America
through the first year of life.
at the American Academy of Pediatrics at
childcare@aap.org or 888/227-5409. Remember,
if you have a question about the health and safety
of your child, talk to your baby’s doctor.
Revised 2008