Protect Your Child:
Know the ABC’s of Safe Sleep
Dr. Thomas Spence | McLeod Pediatric Associates of Florence
D
CRIB
espite continuing progress in reducing infant
result, your baby is at an increased risk of bending their
mortality and Sudden Infant Death (SIDs) in South
neck, which blocks their windpipe. In addition, an adult in
Remove all loose bedding, blankets, stuffed animals,
Carolina, sleep-related infant deaths continue to
deep sleep can roll over on the baby, causing suffocation.
bumper pads, wedges, and pillows from your baby’s crib
be a significant problem.
The same holds true for sleeping on a chair or couch –
to maintain an uncluttered sleeping area. Also, avoid
DON’T SLEEP WITH THE BABY. Instead, put the baby’s crib
overheating by keeping the room temperature at a
Academy of Pediatrics to place babies on their backs to
nearby or in your bedroom (also called room sharing or
comfortable setting for you.
sleep, deaths from SIDS began to drop. Unfortunately,
co-rooming).
Following a 1992 recommendation by the American
A sleepsack – or wearable blanket – is a good option
if you’re concerned about your baby getting cold. In
the number of South Carolina infant deaths due to
Remove pillows, stuffed animals, bumpers, wedges,
sleep-related suffocation or entrapment in the beds
quilts, comforters and blankets from the crib. Also, make
any case, use light sleep clothing with the tags, ties and
doubled in a six-year period beginning in 2004.
sure there are no light or blind cords within reach of the
strings removed from the sleepwear, nighties or pajamas.
Safe Kids Worldwide reports that nearly 75% of
crib that could tangle or choke the baby.
SPREAD THE WORD
suffocation infant deaths are due to choking or
strangulation in bed. For children under age one,
unintentional suffocation is the leading cause of
BACK
Since 1992, we’ve known that babies should sleep on
Share this simple message with everyone who cares
for your baby or for any baby under one year of age to
injury-related deaths. Babies aged two to four months
their backs, avoiding chances for their mouths and noses
help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related
are most at risk.
becoming buried in bedding. They can get plenty of
causes of infant death. Help family members, babysitters,
“tummy time” when awake, playful and monitored by
child care workers, and everyone you know ensure a safe
an adult or a trained sitter.
sleeping environment for your baby.
Statewide efforts promoting Safe Sleep have started
making inroads into sleep-related deaths.
To keep those numbers going in the right direction and
Again, NO adult beds, chairs or couches for baby sleep
your baby healthy, follow these ABC’s of safe sleep. Your
time. A safety-approved crib with a firm mattress and
For more helpful information on Safe Sleep, please visit
baby should sleep Alone on her/his Back in a Crib.
tight fitting sheet is recommended. A bassinet or
http://www.cribsforkids.org/aapsafesleepguidelines/.
pack-n-play are also approved sleeping furniture. Keep
ALONE
Your baby should NOT sleep in your bed (also called
co-sleeping or co-bedding). Your baby is not strong
enough to hold his/her head flat on an adult bed. As a
in mind that the bassinet should be discontinued once
the baby can attempt to roll over.
Always place your baby on his/her back for every sleep
time – during the day and at night.
Sources include: McLeod Health, American Academy of Pediatrics,
Safe Kids Worldwide, Cribs for Kids, March of Dimes, SC Dept. of
Health & Environmental Control, Children’s Trust of SC, Eunice
Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development
Dr. Thomas Spence cares for children at McLeod Pediatric Associates of Florence. Dr. Spence attended medical school at the
University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, where he also completed a residency in Pediatrics. To make
an appointment with Dr. Spence, please call (843) 777-5065 or 777-7602.
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APRIL 2016
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