Understanding SUID and Safe Sleep Practices
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), encompassing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), stands as the top cause of injury-related fatalities in infants. While sleep can pose significant challenges for families with newborns, adhering to safe sleep guidelines can significantly reduce the number of SUID cases. Educate the families you serve about safe sleep practices for their babies, ensuring peace of mind for parents.
During the 1990s, the rate of sleep-related infant deaths dropped considerably following recommendations from the AAP and other organizations to place babies on their backs for sleep. However, this decline has stalled, and SIDS continues to be the foremost cause of postneonatal deaths. Black and Native American/Alaska Native infants experience mortality rates more than twice that of white infants. Pediatricians play a crucial role in guiding all families to adopt measures that lower the risk of sleep-related infant deaths:
During the 1990s, the rate of sleep-related infant deaths dropped considerably following recommendations from the AAP and other organizations to place babies on their backs for sleep. However, this decline has stalled, and SIDS continues to be the foremost cause of postneonatal deaths. Black and Native American/Alaska Native infants experience mortality rates more than twice that of white infants. Pediatricians play a crucial role in guiding all families to adopt measures that lower the risk of sleep-related infant deaths:
- Always place infants on their backs to sleep in their own separate sleep space.
- Use a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress covered by a fitted sheet. Avoid letting infants sleep on couches, armchairs, or in seating devices such as swings or car seats (except when traveling in a car).
- Ensure the sleep area is free of loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers, and other soft items.
- Encourage breastfeeding if possible and advise against smoking.
