What Protects against
SIDS? Recently in this space, we’ve been looking at the latest
evidence on risk factors for SIDS. Briefly, the primary Dont's are prone
(face-down) sleeping and parental smoking. Bed-sharing increases the risk when either parent is a
smoker or has been using alcohol or drugs. Any soft sleeping surface (sofa,
water bed, less-than-firm mattress) and loose bedding (quilts, comforters,
pillows, stuffed animals) increase the risk of sleep-related infant death. Now we turn to protective factors. Pacifier Use Reduces
SIDS Risk by up to 90% A simple,
inexpensive protection against SIDS is use of a pacifier at sleep time (naps
and nights). Several studies
suggest that pacifier use reduces the risk of SIDS by up to 90%. Pacifiers are
most effective when used with other known protections such as breastfeeding,
not smoking and adequate prenatal care. But, the news is especially good for families who are unable
to provide an optimal sleeping environment. Pacifier use also seems to offer
protection against SIDS for babies who share a bed, sleep face-down, or have
loose bedding in their sleeping space. It may be that pacifier use offers
protection against SIDS for all infants. The new 2012 edition of Beginnings
Parents Guide will encourage pacifier use at sleep time, especially for
babies who sleep on their side of stomach, share a family bed, or live with a
smoker. It will continue existing
promotion of breastfeeding, non-smoking and prenatal care participation. Reference:
Moon RY, Tanabe KO, Yang DC, Young HA & Hauck, FR (2011). Maternal
and Child Health Journal (epub ahead of print).http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21505778 |
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CategoriesBeginnings GuidesHealth Education Health Literacy Parenting Education Prenatal Education |
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