The American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep initiative is critical to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths but not all parents are heeding the advice!
A recent study found that:
- One in five (22%) mothers reported not placing their baby on his or her back to sleep.
- More than half of mothers (61%) reported bed sharing with their baby.
- Two in five (39%) mothers reported using soft bedding in the baby’s sleep environment.
Here are the formal recommendations for safe infant sleep practices from the AAP:
- Always place baby to sleep on his back.
- Use a firm sleep surface, such as a safety-approved mattress and crib.
- Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the baby’s sleep area.
- Share a room, not a bed.
Straightforward as the recommendations may seem, the CDC report proves they have the power to save lives.
References:
SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2016 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment (2016). Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2016/10/20/peds.2016-2938