Unsafe sleep environments and practices can put infants at increased risk for sleep related unintentional injury or death.
Annually, approximately 50 otherwise healthy Minnesota babies die of sleep related injuries while sleeping in unsafe conditions such as in an adult bed or a sofa with parents or older children.
Parents and caregivers should know the ABCs of safe sleep:
ALONE: Infants should always sleep or nap alone.
BACK: Always put a baby on their back to sleep or nap.
CRIB: Babies should always sleep or nap in their own safety-approved crib or play yard without blankets or pillows.
Rice County Public Health would like to share this message with caregivers of infants and young children. “All caregivers should know and practice the ABCs of Safe Sleep: A baby should sleep alone, on his or her back, in a safe crib,” says Fae Schumacher, Rice County Family Child Health Supervisor. “Crib mattresses should be firm, sheets should fit tightly and there shouldn’t be anything else in the crib, including pillows, blankets, crib bumpers, or toys.” Infants also should not be placed to sleep on a couch, in a car seat, or in the caregiver’s bed.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, research continues to show that bed-sharing raises the risk of a baby’s injury or death. Risks of sleep-related death increase 5-10 times when sleeping on the same surface with someone else when an infant is under 4 months of age. The risk goes up when the co-sleeper is impaired by fatigue, alcohol, or drug use.
Additionally, couch sleeping is very risky. The risks of sleep-related infant deaths are up to 67 times higher when an infant is sleeping with someone on a couch, soft armchair or cushion. While bed-sharing should be avoided, having the infant sleep in the same room as parents in their own crib for at least the first six months is recommended.
Rice County Public Health staff are available to conduct a home safety visit for caregivers of young children. In partnership with “Cradle of Hope,” staff can also provide a portable crib if needed, to ensure that every baby has a safe place to sleep.
For more information, contact Fae Schumacher, Rice County Public Health Family Child Health Supervisor at 507-321-4978.
More information on infant safe sleep, can be found at the Minnesota Department of Health website www.health.state.mn.us/people/womeninfants/infantmort/safesleep.html
