 |
|||
 |
|||
Healthy
|
|||
Back to Sleep -- It Works!
"Back to Sleep" is the name of an important campaign created to let those who care for infants--parents, childcare providers, relatives, and others--know the importance of putting infants to sleep on their backs, not their stomachs.
What's behind all of this? SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS is the sudden death of an infant less than one year of age that remains unexplained after a complete investigation which includes an autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of all information. In the U.S., 5,000 babies die annually of SIDS and it is the leading cause of deaths of infants between one-12 months of age.
Over the years, experts have uncovered a few previously unsuspected causes of death in infants, such as congenital defects in metabolism or inherited "errors" in the electrical activity of the heart. But there remain thousands of infant deaths every year that cannot be blamed on infection, allergy, congenital metabolic problems, or any identifiable cause.
Numerous risk factors for SIDS have been identified. Maternal cigarette smoking has emerged as a potent contributor to danger. Babies whose mothers smoke during pregnancy have three times the risk of dying of SIDS and environmental tobacco smoke in the home or childcare setting doubles the chance of SIDS death. Babies with low birth weights and those born to mothers who are teenagers, who do not receive adequate prenatal care, or who use alcohol during pregnancy also face increased risk of SIDS. Breastfeeding actually reduces the risk of SIDS.
A major risk factor to babies is sleeping on their stomachs. There is an interesting, alarming, and compelling history behind this discovery. A few years ago, researchers in several countries wondered if the age-old tradition of putting babies down on their stomachs--and faces--while they slept could possibly contribute to the tragedy of SIDS. Research studies produced surprising and consistent results. Babies sleeping on their stomachs are much more likely to die suddenly and unexpectedly, than those sleeping on their backs or sides. There are probably several reasons contributing to this, including slight build up of carbon dioxide, perhaps significant increases in body heat, and obstruction of the airway by bed clothing or the mattress.
The U.S. has joined many countries in launching public education programs urging caregivers to put infants on their backs to sleep, not prone, on their faces and stomachs. The results have been startling. New Zealand, the first nation with such a program, noted a dramatic drop in SIDS deaths. In the U.S., as more babies are put to sleep on their backs, the number of SIDS deaths also has decreased. Sleeping on the side is better than the stomach, but sleeping on the back is by far the best and safest. During the past few years, the number of babies sleeping on their backs has increased by nearly 66 percent while the SIDS rate has decreased by about 40 percent.
"Back to sleep" can have a significant impact on SIDS deaths. Unless the babies' physicians, for special health reasons, recommends otherwise, ALL infants up to one year of age should sleep on their backs. Back to sleep--it works!
By Don Palmer, M.D.--Don Palmer, M.D., is the Chairman of the Child Care Committee, Alabama Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics.Resources
National Institute of Child and Human Develpment/Back to Sleep
31 Center Dr. Room 2A32, MSC 2425, Bethesda, MD 20892-2425;
800-505-CRIB
www.nih.gov/nichd
Early Head Start National Resource Center,
Back to Sleep, PO 29111,Washington, D.C., 20040
800-505-2742
www.ehsnrc.org/ftsids.htm
American Academy of Pediatrics
800-433-9016
www.aap.org
|
Healthy Childcare® Home Page | Library | Search | Questions & Answers | Links
I Am Amazing | Hip On Health | Health & Safety Resource Guide | Order Form
Product Spotlight | Free Issue | Publisher's Letter | Contact Us | Author Guidelines HEALTHY CHILD PUBLICATIONS Last Revised: |
||