Safe Sleep

Objectives

• Increase understanding of sleep-related deaths • Describe the Triple Risk Model

• Identify modifiable/non-modifiable risks

• Understand meaning of “Alone, Back, Crib”

• Motivate integration of Safe Sleep into nursing practice

SIDS Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

SUID Sudden Unexpected Infant Death

ASSB Accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed

All are terms to describe

sleep-related deaths

of a baby younger than 1 yr of age

Chances of these happening go down with a few simple changes in how babies sleep

1983-1992 5,000-6,000 SIDS deaths/yr

1992 American Academy of Pediatrics recommended infants <1 yr be placed to sleep on back or side

1996 Recommendation changed to sleep only on back

Since babies have been put to sleep on their backs

SIDS deaths have ’d by 50%

However

putting babies on their backs has not been enough to prevent sleep-related deaths

There are other risks Some are modifiable

Some are non-modifiable

#1 #2

#3

#1 Vulnerable Infant

Some babies are more likely to die from SIDS because of abnormal control of: - Blood pressure - Heart rate - Respiration - Chemoreception - Upper airway reflexes - Thermoregulation Non-modifiable Risk Factor

#1 Vulnerable Infant

Prematurity and Low birth weight

SIDS risk: with birth wt and gestational age

Non-modifiable Risk Factors

#1 Vulnerable Infant

American Indian infants >3x more SIDS than Caucasian infants

African American infants >2x more SIDS than Caucasian infants

Non-modifiable Risk Factor

Race

#2 Critical Developmental Period

Rapid growth and development of brain in 1st year of life

Autonomic function reorganization Learned protective behaviors

Non-modifiable Risk Factor

#3 External Stressor/s

We can’t control whether a baby is a “vulnerable infant” or whether a baby is in a “critical developmental period”

However

We CAN control external stressors ALL are modifiable

#3 External Stressor/s

Second-hand Smoke

#3 External Stressor/s

Follow ABC’s of Safe Sleep

Alone

Back

Crib

Alone

The competition we’re up against

This is what we’re asking parents to do

NO

Pillows

Loose blankets

Stuffed toys

Bumper pads

This is no longer acceptable

A blanket can become a suffocation hazard If you need to use a blanket use it “Feet to Foot”

Like this Not this

Yes! to Blanket Sleepers

After 37 weeks and prior to discharge swaddling with a blanket during sleep is not recommended

34-37 weeks gestation: - Swaddle with one blanket below the arms - If second blanket is needed for thermal support, place it no higher than baby’s chest and tuck it around crib mattress

Swaddling

What about the baby with poor upper body tone?

May need to be swaddled from mid-arms down to help bring arms to midline

Good Rules of Thumb

Room temperatureshould be comfortable for a lightly clothed adult ~ 72 degrees

Dress baby in no more than one layer than you are dressed

A well-fitting hat is OK for

thermoregulation for preterms

Not thisThis

Remove for sleep at 37 wks or prior to discharge

This might look cozy

But it is DANGEROUS!

Danger of entrapment and suffocation

Extremely high risk of death on couches and armchairs

Parents should not feed their baby on a couch or armchair if there is a chance of falling asleep

Baby should sleep alone

Baby may be in parent’s bed for feeding or comforting but should be returned to his/her own bed when parent is ready to return to sleep

Billboards in Milwaukee, WI

“Your baby sleeping with you can be just as dangerous”

Alone but IN room with mother is best

Back

Every baby should be placed “back to sleep” Every sleep by Every caregiver for the 1st year of life

But babies sleep better on their stomachs!

Yes, they do

But that is why they are more likely to die!

Prone position can result in:

’d re-breathing of carbon dioxide

’d stimulation of laryngeal receptors causing apnea

’d efficient loss of heat

’d arousal

What about spitting up?

*Less likely to choke in supine position*

In prone position milk may pool in the hypopharynx

Guidelines for premature infants born at < 34 weeks who are medically stable

By 32-34 weeks gestation:Begin transition to supine sleeping in a flat bed without nests, pillows or developmentalsupports

By 34 weeks gestation or when successfully weaned to an open crib:

Infant should sleep supine, without nests or developmental supports and with head of bed flat

What about a baby with reflux?

head of bed does NOT reflux head of bed may result in baby sliding and compromising airway

However:- Do feed in an position- Do hold in position or keep head of bed for 30 min after feeds

Exceptions to this?

• Babies with life-threatening airway issues (e.g. laryngeal cleft…)

• Babies with impaired airway protective mechanisms (e.g. paralyzed vocal cord…)

• Babies with aspiration related to reflux

• Babies awaiting anti-reflux surgery

What about positioning devices?

None have been approved

But what about positioning devices for our < 32 wk preemies and sick babies?

Yes! We can use them!

Safe Sleep guidelines are for medically stable babies

What about delayed upper body development?

Tummy Time when awake and alert

Upper body strength will be met with a total Tummy Time of at least 1hr/day

What about flat spots on a baby’s head?

• Tummy Time helps to reduce flat spots

• Changing the direction a baby sleeps in reduces flat spots

Flat spots usually resolve in a few months after a baby learns to sit up

What about a bald spot?

Consider a bald spot on the back of a baby’s head a sign of a healthy baby!

Once an infant can roll from supine to prone and from prone to supine, infant can be allowed to remain in the sleep position that he or she assumes

Crib

Crib Pac and Play

Firm mattress covered by a fitted sheet

What about swings, bouncy seats…?

Should not be used for sleeping

If an infant falls asleep in one, he or she should be removed and placed in their bed soon as it is practical

Exceptions to Safe Sleep:

** Must have a physician or NNP order documenting exception and indication for exception

Example: may have head of bed up 30◦- infant with aspiration noted on milk scan

Example: may sleep in swing - infant with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

Prior to discharge:

- Attempt should be made to assess infant’s ability to eliminate exception(s) and follow all Safe Sleep environment recommendations

- If infant continues to need any exception(s) to Safe Sleep recommendations these should be fully discussed and planned for at time of discharge

Are there other things that might protect babies from sleep-related death?

Protective effect of a dry pacifier

This Not this

Not these either

Some guidelines for pacifiers:

- Offer pacifier, but don’t force it

- If pacifier falls out while baby is asleep do not replace it

- Wait until breastfeeding is well established before offering pacifier

Two more things that protect babies from SIDS

Breastfeeding Immunizations

Some babies who died of SIDS had recent infections before they died

Breastfed babies have fewer infections

Immunizations cut a baby’s risk of SIDS almost in half

Immunizations

So what can we do?

Safe Sleep needs to start with us!

We need to teach parents Safe Sleep

We need to model Safe Sleep

Transition process in the NICU

Prone Supine

Supported Unsupported Positioning

“ILL” status “HEALTHY” status

Summary

• Triple Risk Model- Vulnerable infant- Critical Developmental Period- Outside stressor/s

• Alone, Back, Crib

• Use of dry pacifier, breastfeeding, immunizations

• Role modeling for families

Safe Sleep

Safe Sleep

STANDARD OF CARE

References

American Academy of Pediatrics, Task Force on Infant Sleep Position and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Changing concepts of sudden infant death syndrome: implications for infant sleeping environment and sleep position. Pediatrics. 2000;105:650–656http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/105/3/650.full.html

References

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, DHHS. (2007).Curriculum for Nurses: Continuing Education Program on SIDS Risk Reduction (06-6005).Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Officehttp://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs_details.cfm?from=&pubs_id=5685

References

Filiano, JJ, Kinney, HC. A perspective on neuropathologic findings in victims of the sudden infant death syndrome: the triple risk model. Biolol Neonate. 1994;65(3-4):194-197.

Ibarra, B. Family Teaching Toolbox: A Parent’s Guide To A Safe Sleep Environment. Advances in Neonatal Care. 2011; 11 (1), p 27-28

References

Moon, RY, Fu, L. (2012). Sudden infant death syndrome: an update. Pediatrics in Review. DOI: 10.1542/pir.33-7-314

Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS and other sleep- related infant deaths: Expansion of recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment. Pediatrics. 2001;128 (5) e1341-e1367.http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/128/5/e1341.full