NM Health Department has information for parents worried about SIDS
Posted at: 10/04/2012 11:42 AM
| Updated at: 10/04/2012 2:18 PM
By: KOB.com staff
October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month, and the New Mexico Department of Health has a new online-based information campaign for parents.
According to a news release, the department has launched a new webpage to educate parents about ways to reduce the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant deaths.
The webpage contains information about The Safe to Sleep campaign, which has replaced the Back-to -Sleep campaign.
The new campaign advises parents to take additional steps, rather than just placing a baby on its back to sleep, to avoid SIDS and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death.
“As parents, we want to keep our children healthy. Many people will sleep in the same bed as their child to keep them safe, but medical experts advise that parents should not sleep in the same bed as their babies because of the increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome,” said Brad McGrath, interim cabinet secretary of the Department of Health.
“To help keep our children safe, the Department of Health advises that parents to put their babies to sleep in a bassinet or crib in their bedrooms, so they can still be together.”
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death is the category of all unexplained infant deaths. SIDS is a subcategory of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death.
SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants aged 1–12 months, and the third leading cause of overall infant mortality in the United States.
In New Mexico, 60 baby deaths were categorized as Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths between 2009 and 2011. Findings from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System indicate that New Mexico women giving live birth in 2009 – 2010, more than 30 percent had an infant who usually shared a sleeping surface with another person.
And almost 50 percent of women whose infant slept in a crib were exposed to bumper pads or other unsafe materials.
In addition to placing infants under 1 year old on their backs for all sleep times, the Safe to Sleep campaign recommends parents and caregivers also take the following steps:
· Infants should always have their own safe place to sleep. This environment should be free from any soft bedding, blankets or quilts. Infants should also not share a bed with an adult or other children.
· Infants should be breast-fed for at least six months, whenever possible. Breastfeeding is linked to a reduced risk of SIDS. ·
· Parents should also ensure infants do not become overheated. ·
· Infants should not be exposed to tobacco smoke.
· Infant caregivers should avoid alcohol or other drugs. ·
· Consider giving your baby a pacifier.
To find about more about the Safe to Sleep campaign, click here.
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