16 Jun Have you been told to place your baby to sleep on their tummy to reduce colic? Did you know that it is dangerous to place baby to sleep on their tummy?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant, typically under one year of age. While the exact cause of SIDS is unknown, there are several risk factors that have been identified, including tummy sleeping. Research has shown a clear association between tummy sleeping and an increased risk of SIDS. Placing infants on their stomach to sleep can potentially hinder their ability to breathe properly and regulate body temperature, leading to an increased risk of suffocation.
In Australia, SIDS is a significant concern, and efforts have been made to reduce its incidence through education and safe sleep campaigns. The number of SIDS cases has decreased significantly over the past few decades due to these preventive measures. In 2020, 79 infant under 1 year died from SIDS and undetermined causes in Australia.
The Australian medical recommendations regarding infant sleep position are:
1. Babies should be placed on their back for both daytime and nighttime sleep. This position has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of SIDS.
2. Infants should be placed on a firm and flat mattress in a safety-approved crib or bassinet. The sleep surface should be free from pillows, soft bedding, stuffed toys, or other objects that could obstruct breathing.
3. The Australian guidelines encourage room sharing with the infant, but not bed sharing. Having the baby sleep in the parents’ room for the first six to twelve months, ideally in a separate crib or bassinet, has been associated with a decreased risk of SIDS.
4. Infants should be dressed appropriately for the ambient room temperature to prevent overheating. It’s recommended to dress them in clothing suitable for the current weather and to avoid excessive blankets or swaddling.
5. Exclusive breastfeeding is encouraged, as it has been linked to a reduced risk of SIDS. Breastfeeding provides many benefits to infants’ overall health and helps support their immune system.
Together we can keep our babies safe.