Southwestern Indiana Regional Perinatal Advisory Board - Professional Resources: Safe Sleep

Safe Sleep

Emergency Crib Program

A limited number of emergency cribs are available at the Vanderburgh County Health Department.

A referral for a crib must be made to the Health Dept. and the need for an emergency crib will be determined by a professional assessment.

Along with a crib and mattress, each client will receive a crib sheet, sleep sack and most importantly, safe sleep education.

For more information on crib availability, protocol or eligibilitiy, call the Vanderburgh Co. Health Department at (812) 435-5766.

Vanderburgh County –
Positional/Mechanical/Bedding Asphyxia Deaths:

Year

# Infant Deaths

% Infant Deaths

2001

5

25%

2002

2

12%

2003

2

25%

2004

4

25%

2005

2

22%

2006

4

27%

2007

6

33%

What can we as a community of healthcare
professionals do to prevent asphyxia deaths?

A little history about Back to Sleep

1992 – the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) stated that all full-term healthy babies should be placed on their backs to sleep (Pediatrics, 1992; 89:1120-1126). The advice was based on research that determined that there was a higher incidence of SIDS when babies were placed to sleep on their stomachs.

1994 – the NICHD launched the national Back to Sleep campaign

1992-2000 – the rate of SIDS decreased by 50%

October 2005 - AAP revises "Safe Sleep for Infants" guidelines

Indiana ranks as the #1 worst state in the United States for the number of accidental Infant Suffocation deaths (ISDH)

Safe Sleep posters and brochures are available from the Southwestern Indiana Perinatal Advisory Board by calling 812-760-9923. You may also e-mail your request.

Several studies have suggested that babies placed on their sides to sleep are at a greater risk for asphyxia than those babies placed on their backs.

There has been no evidence that healthy babies placed on their backs to sleep are more likely to choke (serious or fatal) than those babies placed on their stomachs. In a very small number of reported deaths due to choking, most of the infants were sleeping on their stomachs. (NICHD)

Recent research has indicated that babies sleeping on soft surfaces are at a higher risk for SIDS and asphyxia. The Back to Sleep campaign joined with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to warn against placing any soft bedding, pillows, quilts, comforters, or stuffed toys in baby’s sleeping area. The items could come into contact with the baby’s face & lead to suffocation. It is also recommended that bumper pads not be used in cribs.

Safe Sleep Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
(Visit www.aap.org for full guidelines.)

Back to Sleep: Infants should be placed to sleep on their backs for every sleep.
Use a firm sleep surface: A firm crib mattress, covered by a tight-fitting sheet, is the recommended sleeping surface.
Keep soft objects & loose bedding out of the crib: Pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys and other soft objects should be kept out of the infant's sleeping area.
Do not smoke during pregnancy: Also avoiding an infant's exposure to second-hand smoke is advisable for many reasons in addition to SIDS risk.
A separate but close sleeping area is recommended such as a crib in the parent room: Bed sharing during sleep is not recommended.
Consider offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime: The pacifier should be used when putting an infant down for sleep and not be reinserted once the infant falls asleep.
Avoid overheating: The infant should be lightly clothed for sleep, and the bedroom temperature should be kept comfortable for a lightly clothed adult.
Avoid commercial devices (wedges, positioners) marketed to reduce the risk of SIDS: There is no evidence that use of home monitors decreases the risk of SIDS.
Avoid the development of "flat back of head": Encourage "tummy time" when awake. Avoid having the infant spend excessive time in car-seat carriers and "bouncers". Place the infant to sleep with the head to one side for a week and then changing to the other.
Assure that other caring for the infant are aware of "Back to Sleep" recommendations.