The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that healthy infants be placed
on their backs for sleep, as this is the safest position for an infant
to sleep. Putting your baby to sleep on his or her back decreases the
chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is responsible for
more infant deaths in the United States than any other cause during the
first year of life (beyond the newborn period).
While many moms say they know the rules for safe baby sleeping, including
putting baby to sleep alone, on his or her back, in a crib, only 66% follow
this advice, according to a survey conducted by American Baby and Safe
Kids Worldwide. In response to this information, Hillery Thacker, CVMC
Professional Development Coordinator for Neonatal Nurseries and Pediatrics
has been instrumental in developing an aggressive awareness program to
promote infant safe sleep policies and educate parents on the best practices.
CVMC recently became a designated Infant Safe Sleep Hospital Leader for
these parent education efforts by the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation.
Thacker offers the following advice:
- Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night,
to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Use a firm sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib*,
covered by a fitted sheet, to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related
causes of infant death.
- Your baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch, or on a chair alone,
with you, or with anyone else.
- Keep soft objects, toys, crib bumpers, and loose bedding out of your baby’s
sleep area to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of
infant death.
Childbirth Educators at CVMC’s Health First Center offer a variety
of high quality programs to assist the entire family learn about best
practices to keep infants safe. To inquire about our classes, email a
Childbirth Educator at kkmiller@catawbavalleymc.org or call the Health
First Center at 828-485-2300 ext. 6205.