As a new parent, few things are more terrifying than SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. And for decades, SIDS rates in the United States remained high, with seemingly no way to combat the phenomenon.
But one simple innovation changed all that.
"People started listening to and following Safe Sleep rules," says Sheera Thomas, RN, a discharge facilitator and new mom educator at Sarasota Memorial. "And since then, SIDS rates have collapsed by about 50%."
Rules for Safe Sleep
With this short list of instructions, endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents can prevent most common sleep accidents that lead to fatal suffocation.
- Place infants flat on their back to sleep
Some people still want to lie their baby on its side, as though in a recovery position, in case the baby spits up in its sleep. In reality, it greatly increases risk of suffocation.
- Use a crib or sleeping area with a firm, flat mattress
Soft or fluffy surfaces and materials that a baby sinks into can pose choking hazards.
- The crib should be empty
With the exception of a well-fitted sheet, the baby's sleeping area should completely clean of all pillows, blankets, toys, cushions and bumpers. "Nothing is supposed to be in there," says Thomas. "They'll move, and we need to make sure they're not moving into anything that can cause accidental suffocation."
- No co-sleeping
If mom or dad is tired, they should put the baby down to sleep in its own Safe Sleep area, while the parent naps nearby. Both a baby rolling into a parent and a parent rolling onto a baby can cause a fatal accident.
In addition to these rules, Thomas has two more of her own.
- Don't Give In To The Marketing
Despite the rules on Safe Sleep being backed by more than two decades of evidence, there remains an entire industry dedicated to selling crib pillows and naptime toys to babies, despite the suffocation hazard they represent. “If you’re unsure," she says, talk to your pediatrician.”
- Sleep When Baby Sleeps
The temptation is to use baby's naptime to get other chores done, but sleep deprivation takes its toll and you can't neglect your own health. "Your house is not going to be clean until they move out," Thomas says. "Just take a nap."
Support from Sarasota Memorial
Sarasota Memorial is proud to support new mothers and growing families in our community. This includes:
- Hosting a variety of support groups and educational opportunities for new parents, including weekly Latch Clinics for breastfeeding mothers, as well as weekly Mother-Baby Support Groups. To learn more, visit babies.smh.com or call (941) 917-1700.
- The Sarasota Memorial Pregnancy Care Team, with three experienced labor and delivery/postpartum nurses serving as OB navigators and providing free guidance and referrals to support women throughout their pregnancy.
- And the new SMH Pregnancy and Wellness Center, dedicated to ensuring that every expecting mother, regardless of her medical or financial circumstances, has access to compassionate support and expert prenatal care. The SMH Pregnancy and Wellness Center is located on Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s Clark Road campus, 5880 Rand Blvd., Suite 206, Sarasota. For information, call 941-262-5300.
Written by Sarasota Memorial copywriter Philip Lederer, MA, who crafts a variety of external communications for the healthcare system. SMH's in-house wordsmith, Lederer earned his Master's degree in Public Administration and Political Philosophy from Morehead State University, Ky, and really needs a nap.