It is with great pleasure that I am posting the new American Academy Recommendation for infant sleeping. The policy statement released in October 2011 is now making its rounds in the medical community with the NICHD launching the Safe to Sleep campaign in the near future. I am almost moved to tears to read in the opening paragraph of the policy statement, "The AAP, therefore is expanding its recommendations from focusing only on SIDS to focusing on a safe sleep environment that can reduce the risk of all sleep-related infant deaths, including SIDS." Also in that opening paragraph is, ""...other causes of sudden unexpected infant death that occur during sleep, including suffocation and asphyxia, and entrapment...have increased in incidence, particularly since the AAP published its last statement in 2005". I am SO excited to hear about the newly expanded campaign as it makes all the effort of educating about safe sleep for the last several years worth it!
The following are the new recommendations:
1) (not surprisingly) Back to sleep for every sleep
- Once an infant can roll from back to stomach and stomach to back, the infant can be allowed to remain in the sleep position that he or she assumes.
2) Use a firm sleeping surface- a firm crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet
- infants should not be placed for sleep on beds because of the risk of entrapment and suffocation
- portable bed rails should not be used because of the risk of entrapment and strangulation
- Sitting devices, such as car seats, strollers, swings, infant carriers and infant slings are not recommended for routine sleep
3) Room-sharing without bed sharing is recommended
- infant crib, portable crib, or bassinet should be placed in the parents' bedroom. This arrangement reduces the risk of SIDS and removes the possibility of suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment that might occur when the infant is sleeping in the adults' bed.
-devices promoted to make bed sharing "safe" (co-sleepers) are not recommended
4) Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib to reduce the risk of SIDS, suffocation, entrapment and strangulation
5) Pregnant women should receive regular prenatal care
6) Avoid smoke exposure during pregnancy and after birth
- Smoking in the infant's environment is a major risk factor for SIDS
7) Avoid alcohol and illicit drug use during pregnancy and after birth
8) Breastfeeding is recommended
9) Consider offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime
10) Avoid overheating
11) Infants should be immunized in accordance with recommendations by the AAP and the CDC
12) Avoid commercial devices marketed to reduce the risk of SIDS
13) Do not use home cardiorespiratory monitors 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 :)
The list goes on for a total of 18 recommendations. For a complete view of the policy statement click here.
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