Understanding SIDS

& Creating a Safe Sleep Environment in Child Care Centers

By Susana Flores, PHN, SIDS Coordinator April 2012

Numbers we should remember

2,300 Infants die each year of SIDS 21 Babies who sleep on their tummies on top of soft bedding have a 21 times greater risk of SIDS

Babies who are placed to sleep on their tummies have a 5 times greater risk of SIDS SIDS deaths occur while the infant is under non-parental care.

87%

20%

A Scottish study showed 87% of SIDS occurred in unsafe sleep environments. Only 13% were found on crib or bassinets

SIDS in Child Care

Approximately 20% of SIDS deaths occur while the infant is in the care of a non-parental caregiver.
60% in family child care 20% in child care centers 20% in relative care

Infants tend to be Caucasian, with older, more educated parents.

Moon et al, 2000

SIDS in Child Care

Approximately 1/3 of SIDS-related deaths in child care occur in the first week, and 1/2 of these occur on the first day. Something intrinsic to child care? Not that weve found yet.
Stress, sleep deprivation? Unaccustomed tummy sleeping? Yes

Unaccustomed Tummy Sleeping

Increases risk of SIDS (as much as 18 times).
Mitchell et al, 1999

Non-parental caregivers may use tummy sleeping. Less ability to lift head in tummy position. Later development of upper body strength.
Davis et al, 1998

What is SIDS?

SIDS is the sudden unexplained death of a seemingly healthy infant under 12 months of age that remains unexplained after a thorough death scene investigation, autopsy and review of babys medical history. It is a diagnosis of exclusion.

What is the Challenge in SIDS Community? SIDS rates are stagnating and other sleeprelated deaths are increasing. Everybody thinks that his/her baby is the exception to the rule.
Gastro-esophageal reflux Premature Bad sleeper

What is the AAP Doing now?

They released a new set of recommendations to reduce to risk of SIDS and sleep-related suffocation, asphyxia and entrapment cases, to be used consistently until the infant is 1 year of age.

These new guidelines are more explicit, concrete and based on scientific evidence. Theyve released 18 recommendations in total.

A little History since past 20 years

In 1992 the AAP recommended changing infants sleep position from stomach to back as a result, SIDS rate dropped by 47% in California and 51% nationally. In 2006 a new set of recommendations were released which are the ones in your handouts. Since 2006, SIDS rates have remained stable and others sleep related deaths are increasing.

SIDS Facts
The exact causes of SIDS are unknown, but SIDS is NOT caused by
Immunizations Vomiting or choking Caused by cribs Contagious or hereditary Child abuse or neglect

Gastro-esophageal reflux and positioning facts

North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology and nutrition: infants with GE reflux should be placed for sleep in the supine position except for the rare infant for whom the risk of death from complication of GE reflux is greater than the risk of SIDS. (Valdenplas, 2009)
Examples: Type 3 or 4 laryngeal cleft (uncorrected) or other defects where the airways in unprotected

GE reflux and positioning Elevating the head of the infants crib while the infant is supine is no effective in reducing GE reflux. (Meyers, 1982;Tobin, 1997)
May also result in the infant sliding to the foot of the crib into a position that may compromise respirations and therefore is not recommended.

GE reflux and positioning

Placing infant in sitting devices (car seats, etc.) makes GE reflux worse. (Orenstein, 1983)
May increase risk for upper airway obstruction, falls and suffocation.

Triple Risk Model

Critical development period

SIDS

Vulnerable infant

External stressors

Modifying SIDS Risks

Risks that can be modified Risks that cannot be modified

Revised 12/08

SIDS Risk FactorsPregnancy

Low birth weight (less than 5 pounds) Premature (less than 37 weeks) Mothers who smoke during pregnancy (3x greater risk) Babies who breathe secondhand smoke (2.5x greater risk) Multiple births (e.g. twins, triplets) Maternal age younger than 20 years Less than 18 months between births

Babies at Risk for SIDS

African Americans (2x greater risk)
Partly genetic Partly behavioral (sleep position, bedsharing)

American Indians (more than 2x greater risk)

Secondhand smoke exposure Binge alcohol drinking during pregnancy Overdressing of babies

Reasons that people place babies on their tummies

They think that babies are more likely to choke or aspirate if they vomit or spit up They are worried that babies wont sleep as well Parental requests When babies sleep on the backs, they dont develop normally.

Reasons that people place babies on their tummies

Babies sleep better/longer/more deeply when theyre on their stomachs The baby will get a flat head if the baby sleeps on the back. The baby will get a bald spot from sleeping on the back.

Why Child Care Providers Use Tummy Sleeping

Lack of awareness
25% of licensed child care providers say they never heard of the relationship between SIDS and sleep position.

Misconceptions about risk of sleep position

Supine and aspiration, choking Belief that tummy sleeping improves infant comfort

Parental preference
Lack of information Lack of education

Healthy Child Care America Back to Sleep Campaign

Launched in 2003 Activities

Increase awareness. Decrease incidence of SIDS in child care. Educate policy makers to include back-to-sleep positioning in child care regulations

Safe Sleep Practices: Reducing the Risk of SIDS and other related deaths Back to sleep for every sleep. Side sleeping is not safe and is not advised. Avoid overheating.
Do not overdress baby. Never cover babys head with a blanket. Room temperature should be comfortable for a lightly clothed adult.

Safe Sleep Practices: Reducing the Risk of SIDS and other related deaths
Breast-feeding is recommended. Pacifiers may be offered to babies to reduce the risk of SIDS If breastfed, wait until breastfeeding is well established (approximately 3 - 4 weeks of age), before offering a pacifier. If the baby refuses the pacifier, dont force it. If the pacifier falls out while the baby is asleep, you do not have to re-insert it.

Safe Sleep Practices: Reducing the Risk of SIDS and other related deaths Safe crib, firm mattress. Avoid chairs, sofas, air mattresses, water beds, and adult beds. Room-sharing without bed-sharing is recommended. Do not have more than one baby per crib.

Safe Sleep Practices: Reducing the Risk of SIDS and other related deaths Avoid smoke exposure during and after pregnancy. Avoid alcohol and illicit drug use during pregnancy and after birth. Do no use cardio-respiratory monitors as strategy for reducing the risk of SIDS. Spread the word.

Safe Sleep Practices: Reducing the Risk of SIDS and other related deaths
Infants should be immunized in accordance with recommendations of the AAP and CDC. Avoid commercial devices marketed to reduce the risk of SIDS. Supervised, awake tummy time is recommended to facilitate development and to minimize development of positional plagio-cephaly.

What does a safe sleep environment looks like?

Benefits of a Safe Sleep Policy

May save lives of babies. Shows parents babys health and safety is your #1 priority. Educates staff.
Consistent care Educate parents Professional development

Elements of a Safe Sleep Policy

Healthy babies always sleep on their backs. Obtain physicians note for nonback sleepers. The note should include prescribed sleep position and the medical reason for not using the back position. Use safety-approved cribs and firm mattresses. Crib: free of toys, stuffed animals, and excess bedding. If blankets are to be used, practice feet-to-foot rule. Sleep only one baby per crib. Room temperature is comfortable for a lightly clothed adult. Monitor sleeping babies. Have supervised tummy time for awake babies.

Alternate Sleep Position

Require written and signed physicians note.
Identifies medical reason why baby sleeps in position other than on back

Handling Parents Concerns

Discuss SIDS and risk reduction strategies with parents. Discuss sleep position policies. Discuss medical waiver and implications.

What We Need to Do
Implement the Caring for Our Children standards. Have a safe sleep policy. Train all caregivers. Talk with a child care health consultant. Be able to handle an infant medical emergency. Be aware of bereavement resources.

First AidUnresponsive Infant

Teaching resuscitation skills is beyond the scope of this workshop. You must first practice resuscitation on a mannequin. Call 911. Get help to care for the other children. Call the childs parents or emergency contact. Call the parents of the other children. Do not disturb the scene (e.g., dont try to tidy up). Notify licensing agency and insurance agency.

Handling a Medical Emergency

Have a plan in place. Review the plan with all staff perodically. Be sure you have received training and have successfully practiced rescue breathing and skills for handling a blocked airway for infants in a fist aid course.

What to Expect if a Baby Dies

Investigation
Several people will ask for the same information so they can help.

Law enforcement
Note babys health, behavior, etc. Take photos. Limit disturbance of the area.

What to Expect if a Baby Dies

Licensing agency
Questions about licensing regulations. SIDS death not a reason for revoking a license.

Coroner/medical examiner
Conducts autopsy. Determines cause of death.

Caring for Our Children

National Standards
Seek support and information from local, state, or national SIDS organizations. Provide SIDS information to the parents of the children in the facility. Provide age-appropriate information to the other children in the facility. Make resources for support available to families and children.

National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education
Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards, Third Edition is available in three formats: Full PDF - Now available with the current changes; grayscale or color PDF by Chapter - Now available with the current changes; smaller file sizes HTML Version - Now available with the current changes

These online PDF and HTML formats of Caring for our Children, Third Edition, (CFOC3) are updated to reflect changes/additions since the second printing of CFOC3 in August 2011. (Each is updated as of April 2012.)

PDFs can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader Get Adobe Acrobat Reader

NRCKIDS
Mailing Address: National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education 13120 E. 19th Ave., Mail Stop F541 PO Box 6511 Aurora, CO 80045 Fax: (303)724-0960 Our offices are open Monday through Friday 7:30am to 4:30pm Mountain Time Please send any comments or questions to info@nrckids.org or call us at 1-800-598-KIDS (5437)

Partners and Resources

Back to Sleep campaign www.nichd.nih.gov/sids Phone: 1-800-505-CRIB (2742) You can receive informational brochures, posters to provide to families and child care providers Cause-Coalition against Unsafe Sleep Environments. http://cribsforkids.org/cause-coalition-against-unsafe-sleepenvironments/

Partners and Resources

First Candle/SIDS Alliance.
1314 Bedford Avenue, Suite 210 Baltimore, MD 21208 info@firstcandle.org Call us toll-free at 1-800-221-7437 Grief Counselors Available 24/7

National SIDS and Infant Death Program Support Center.

2115 Wisconsin Ave, N.W., Suite 601 Washington, DC 20001-2292 Phone; (866)866-7437 E-mail: info@sidscenter.org

CJ Foundation for SIDS-888/8CJ-SIDS. (201)996-5301 WWW.CJSIDS.COM

Baby in a Safe Crib