Genesee County Health Department
Better Life Through Better Health
Date: February 17, 2009
Release Date: For
immediate release End Date: 2/28/09
Contact Person: Marcia Franks
Maternal-Infant Health and Mortality
Programs
Genesee County Health Department
Phone: (810) 257-3202
RE: Infant Sleep Related Deaths
In 2008, 14 infants died in Genesee County due to
confirmed or probable suffocation either by soft bedding, sleeping face
down, or overlay by another person. Although these deaths are sudden and
unexpected they should not be confused with SIDS (Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome). The deaths are the highest number in five years and occurred in
all areas of the county including Flint, Flushing, Grand Blanc, Davison,
Burton, and Swartz Creek. In each of these cases, the Medical Examiner’s
office did a thorough investigation, including an autopsy, toxicology, and
death scene investigation, as well as a death scene re-enactment to
determine the cause of death.
The incidence of sudden infant death dramatically
decreased by over 50% since the “Back to Sleep” campaign of the early 1990s.
Despite these gains, some infants are still placed in unsafe sleep
environments. The risk of a sudden unexpected infant death can be reduced by
following safe sleep practices as recommended by the American Academy of
Pediatrics at all times.
·
Back to
sleep: Infants should be placed on their back to sleep. Stomach and side sleeping are never recommended.
·
Use a firm
sleep surface: Soft materials or objects such as pillows (including pillows
to aid in breastfeeding), quilts, comforters, or sheepskins should not be
placed under a sleeping infant. A firm mattress, covered by a tight-fitting
sheet is the recommended sleeping surface.
·
Keep soft
objects and loose bedding out of the crib: Soft objects such as pillows,
quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, bumper pads, and other soft
objects should be kept out of an infant’s sleeping environment. Instead of
blankets, use pajamas of sleep sacks that will keep the baby warm without
the risk of covering the head.
·
Never sleep
in the same bed with an infant: studies of bed sharing have shown it to be
dangerous, especially if there is more than one person in the bed, the
person is overly tired, or has used alcohol or other drugs. It is
particularly dangerous to sleep with an infant on a couch. Sleeping infants
in a crib in the parent’s room has been shown to reduce an infant’s risk of
sudden death.
·
Avoid
overheating: Over-bundling should be avoided and the room temperature should
be kept comfortable for a lightly clothed adult.
·
Do not
smoke during pregnancy or expose the infant to second hand smoke: this has
been a major risk factor in almost every study of sudden infant death.
·
Consider
using a pacifier at nap time and bedtime. Although the reason is not know,
pacifier use has been shown to reduce the risk of sudden infant death. If
you are breastfeeding, discuss the use of a pacifier with your pediatric
provider.
·
Avoid
products that promise to reduce sudden infant death. Products like sleep
positioners or other specially designed items for the crib are not
recommended. They have not been tested enough to see if they work or are
safe.
Make sure
everyone who watches your baby knows and follows these important strategies
for reducing the risk of sudden infant death. About one in five sudden
infant deaths happens when someone other than the parent is caring for the
infant.
Reducing the
risk of sudden infant death is not difficult or expensive. If you do not
have a safe place to put your baby to sleep, resources for cribs or other
safe alternatives are available in Genesee County. For more information or
for resources in the community, call the Maternal-Infant Health and
Mortality programs at the Genesee County Health Department at 257-3134 or go
to
www.gchd.us.
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