Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the third most common cause of death of children below the age of one year, in which the cause of death cannot be explained. Though we are still uncertain of what exactly causes SIDS1, some factors have been discovered to increase the chances as well as those which, when avoided, lower the risk to animals.
Understanding the ABCs of Safe Sleep Guidelines for Infants
The core principles of infant safe sleep are often summarized as the ABCs:
Alone
Each child should always sleep on their own sleep surface, sleep environment, crib or bassinet, portable crib, or play yard.
By sleeping with the parent or any caregiver, it is common to note that the child is at high risk of developing SIDS and other types of suffocation.
Back
Parents should lay the babies on their backs in the crib during all sleep occasions: naps and night sleep. This back-to-sleep position is the most effective preventive strategy against SIDS of all known preventive measures.
As soon as an infant can roll independently from the back to the prone position and vice versa, they can be left in whatever position they fall into. However, they must always be put to sleep on their back when placing the child in bed.
Crib
Based on recommended safe sleep practices, the child should sleep on a safety-approved crib, bassinet, portable crib, or playpen manufactured with current applicable standards. These beds or sleep surfaces should fit a flat or firm-styled mattress and nonreversible fitted sheets.
Other Important Safe Sleep Practices for Infants
Beyond the ABCs, several other essential recommendations further enhance infant sleep safety:
Firm Sleep Surface
A firm surface is needed for safe sleep. A suffocation hazard poses adult beds, sofas, water beds, bean bag chairs, or any soft items that are oriented in the room. They can wrap around the infant’s face and block their airways. They should only use a mattress recommended for use in an infant crib or bassinet, and the mattress should fit the crib perfectly with no space in between.
Room-Sharing Without Bed-Sharing
Per the AAP, room-sharing but not bed-sharing is advised for the first six months, while furthermore, the suggestion given is for one year due to the child’s safety. This means the infant rests on their separate sleep surface in the same cabin or room as the parents.
Cohabiting the infant with other children, particularly in the same room, enhances monitoring of the kid and may decrease the likelihood of SIDS by half. However, it should be re-emphasized that bed-sharing is advised against, although a baby may fall asleep in the same bed with the parent.
Avoid Soft Bedding
The only item on the mattress is a fitted sheet; nothing else is required. Holding in blankets is allowed up to the time that the baby starts attempting to roll over.
Swaddling should not be done when the baby demonstrates that they are learning to roll over. Wearable blankets or sleep sacks are safe instead of a loose blanket to warm the baby up.
Avoid Overheating
One of the ways parents unintentionally cause SIDS is by overheating the baby. Put the infant in suitable clothes and ensure the room is well-aerated before sleeping.
Avoid dressing up too bright, or avoid using many blankets in bed. The possible signs of overheating are sweating, red skin or skin that feels hot to the touch, and fast breathing.
Pacifier Use
Giving a baby a pacifier at nap time and during night feedings reduces the risk of SIDS.
Avoid Exposure to Smoke, Alcohol, and Illicit Drugs
Especially the risks of SIDS increase with exposure to smoke, alcohol, and illicit drugs during pregnancy and after birth. It is recommended that pregnant women do not use these substances in any way. No one should be allowed to smoke near the baby after it is delivered.
Prenatal and Postnatal Care
During these visits, teaching about safe sleep, among other necessary aspects regarding infant care, is performed.
Tummy Time
Parents should always put their child to bed on their back, but they should allow the child to spend some time on the tummy as long as the child is awake to develop the neck and shoulder muscles.
Supine positions should be made in several intervals within a day but with a gradual increase in time depending on the infants’ growing muscle strength.
Addressing Common Questions and Concerns about Infant Safe Sleep
- What if my baby rolls over onto their stomach during sleep? Once an infant can roll from back to front and vice versa, it’s okay to remain in whichever position they roll to. However, always put them on their back to start with for sleep.
- Can a wedge or positioner keep my baby on their back? Is it safe? No. Wedges and positioners are preferred not to be used, which may cause suffocation.
- What about inclined sleepers? Lateral sleepers are also discouraged, and inclined sleepers are more so. They carry the same danger of positional asphyxia since the infant’s head can fall forward, over the top of the pillow, and block airways.
- My baby spits up a lot. Do I still have to place them on their back? Yes. Research has demonstrated that the absence of increased risks of sudden infant death syndrome associated with the back-to-sleep position does not indicate an increased likelihood of choking in healthy babies either. There are respiratory tracts and guaranteed gag reflexes in their structures to warrant such protection.
- Is swaddling safe? Swaddling is safe and should be stopped when the baby starts rolling over. Babes can be swaddled to reduce any form of movement, which leads to an increased chance of suffocating, especially when the baby is on the Stomach while Swaddled.
Conclusion:
Having a safe environment for the babies during their sleep puerperal period is crucial because it helps reduce SIDS and other similar deaths.
The risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome can be reduced to a large extent by having a smaller number of risks, and the parents are advised to follow the ABCs of safe sleep: Alone, Back, Crib, as well as the following guidelines recommended by the AAP and other health organizations.
This article provides essential information on safe sleep guidelines for infants. This information should reach all caregivers as often as possible so that all caring for infants have adequate knowledge and tools to support safe sleep.
As much as this fear is so overwhelming, these guidelines help caregivers to be in a position to provide a safe and healthy sleep environment for their young ones. Please recall that strict compliance with these practices increases their efficiency and helps to protect infant health.
