American Academy of Pediatrics Announces New Safe Sleep Recommendations to Protect Against SIDS
This is a link to a video that also was put out by the AAP
Infants should sleep in the same bedroom as their parents – but on a separate surface, such as a crib or bassinet, and never on a couch, armchair or soft surface — to decrease the risks of sleep-related deaths, according to a new policy statement released by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The American Academy of Pediatrics came out with the 2016 recommendations to reduce the risk of sids and other sleep-related infant deaths.
Approximately 3500 infants die annually in the U.S. from sleep-related infant deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS; International Classification of Diseases, (ICD-10),R95, ill-defined deaths (ICD-10,R99), and accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed (ICD-10, W75). On Thursday, October 27th at 9 a.m. we will remember the 43 babies, ages 0 to 12 months, that never celebrated their first birthday in Collier County, from sleep related infant deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome, ill-defined deaths and accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed.
American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations:
1. Back to sleep for every sleep.
2. Use a firm sleep surface.
3. Breastfeeding is recommended.
4. It is recommended that infants sleep in the parents’ room, close to the parents’ bed
but on a separate surface designed for infants, ideally for the first year of life, but at
least first 6 months.
5. Keep soft objects and loose bedding away from the infants sleep area to reduce
the risk of SIDS, suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation.
6. Consider offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime.
7. Avoid smoke exposure during pregnancy and birth.
8. Avoid alcohol and illicit drug use during pregnancy and after birth.
9. Avoid overheating and head covering in infants.
10. Pregnant women should obtain regular prenatal care.
11. Infants should be immunized in accordance with recommendations of the AAP and
CDC (Center for Disease Control).
12. Avoid use of commercial devices that are inconsistent with safe sleep
recommendations.
13. Do not use home cardiorespiratory monitor as a strategy to reduce the risk of
SIDS.
14. Supervised, awake tummy time is recommended to facilitate development and to
minimize development of positional plagiocephaly.
15. There is no evidence to recommend swaddling as a strategy to reduce the risk of
SIDS.
16. Healthcare professionals, staff in newborn nurseries and NICUs, and child care
providers should endorse and model the SIDS risk-reduction recommendation
from birth.
17. Media and manufacturers should follow safe sleep guidelines in their
messaging and advertising.
18. Continue the “Safe to Sleep” campaigns focusing on ways to reduce the risk of
all sleep-related infant deaths, including SIDS, suffocation, and unintentional
deaths. Pediatrician and other primary care provider should actively participate
in this campaign.
19. Continue research.
The Florida Department of Health in Collier County, Safe Sleep Committee of Collier County and The NCH Safe and Healthy Children’s Coalition of Collier County have accomplished the following since 2010 when the committee was started
1. A SAFE SLEEP Questionnaire was created by physicians and committee members. There are 10 questions and if answered correctly can help keep babies safe during sleep. Parents in the hospital take this questionnaire, staff members at child care facilities and attendees of any in-services.
2. Child care centers in Collier County can get “Safe Sleep Certification” through the ELC of SWFL child care nurse specialist. A florida alternate sleep position form was developed, safe sleep policy and SIDS power point.
3. A SIDS powerpoint/lecture was developed to provide trainings to local universities.
4. The NCH birthing center gives additional training about safe sleep to staff. They will also be distributing in late 2016 or early 2017 halo safe sleep sacks, safe sleep literature and a copy of “Sleep Baby Safe and Snug”.
5. Healthy Start of SWFL has a staff member at The NCH Birthing Place every weekday to meet with new parents and discuss the how to keep baby safe when asleep.
6. Through a grant from Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church, The Florida Department of Health in Collier County in conjunction with Healthy Start of SWFL, give out pack and plays to income qualified families. Over 250 pack and plays have been given out locally.
7. Healthy Start of SWFL is reaching out to local creole churches to educate about safe sleep.
8. The Safe Sleep Committee has reached out to local pastors and churches to educate the public about safe sleep.
9. A injury prevention brochure was developed to pass out to retirement communities and churches to help educate grandparents.
10. The Florida Department of Health Collier County has free safe sleep materials, including flyers, dvd’s and brochures if any community organization would like any.