Sleeping Safety (SIDS)

In the past few years’ sleep safety has become an extensive topic. There are many rules and regulations at daycares whether they are centers or homes that follow certain protocols for infants sleeping in cribs. Parents on the other hand can make their own decisions on where a baby sleeps and what goes in the crib.
Parents and guardians are told that babies should sleep in cribs or in playpens with either a light blanket or a sleep sac. One reason this is, is because infants can suffocate or get to hot with a heavy or multiple blankets. This can be harmful to children especially if they overheat or suffocate under their blankets or cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been an extensive conversation in the past few years. Since 1990, the SIDS rate have started to decline. “The US SIDS rate declined from 120 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1992 to 56 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2001” (Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, 2011).  Informing families, guardians, and caregivers will get them the incite they need to know to be pre-cautious of SIDS. Even though the SIDS rates have demurred, SIDS is still the third-leading cause of infant deaths.
The way some infants’ sleeps can either benefit or affect an infant. If a child sleeps on their back, this will help reduce the risk of SIDS. It is said the side sleep or prone position could cause the infant to overheat, which can ask cause the risk of SIDS. As an infant, they have no control of their mobility. When they are placed on their sides it could make them unstable and risk them rolling on to their stomach and not being able to roll back over. Even though some parents are caregivers can be worried about choking or aspiration while the infant is on their back, this is the safest sleep position an infant should sleep in. As soon as a child can roll over on their own they can sleep in any position that they lay in.
As for where an infant should sleep has been a controversial conversation as well. “Infants should sleep in a Safety-Approved crib, portable crib, play yard or bassinet” (Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, 2011). Cribs are supposed to meet all safety standards, which they will need a slat for spacing, a snugly fitting and firm mattress, and does not have drop sides. As for portable cribs and play yards, they need to be sturdy on the bottom with a wide base, legs need to be locked to prevent folding, they need a smooth surface, and lastly a snugly fitting mattress like in a crib. All mattress’ no matter if they are in a play yard or crib need to be used correctly even with a fitted sheet. “Pillows or cushions should not be used as substitutes for mattresses or in addition to a mattress” (Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, 2011).  This also goes with any extra fabrics or blankets which could cause an infant to suffocate.
Along with cribs and play yards, comes the topic of letting infants sleep in their car seats or in other seating areas they use such as: strollers, swings, infant carries and slings. A study found that an average young infant spends up to 5.7 hours per day in a car seat or sitting device (Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, 2011).  Being in these types of devices, infants can have problems with breathing since their air way may be blocked because of limited head control. Along with how they are sitting, they may receive injuries from falls from a car seat or being in a seating device at a higher area than the ground. Lastly as for slings, adults need to pay attention to make sure that the infants face is visible and not being pushed into the fabric that could cause suffocation.
Co-sleeping can be important, but can also be harmful for a child. “The AAP recommends the arrangement of room-sharing without bed-sharing, or having the infant sleep in the parents’ room but on a separate sleep surface” (Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, 2011). If an infant were to sleep in the same bed as a parent or guardian, they could become entrapped or even suffocate, if the blankets or if an adult rolls on top of them. Suffocation has become a big issue when infants are sleeping that could cause SIDS.  

Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. (2011, November 01). SIDS and Other Sleep

Related Infant Deaths: Expansion of Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping

Environment. Retrieved February 26, 2017, from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/128/5/e1341.full