Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is responsible for more than 3,500 infant deaths each year in the United States. SIDS includes the death of any infant less than one-year-old that cannot be explained, even after a full investigation.
While there are other sleep-related causes of infant death, SIDS remains the leading cause of death in infants aged one-month to one-year old. In 1994, doctors began a campaign to instruct new mothers to put their babies on their backs to sleep, which resulted in a nationwide drop of 50 percent in sudden infant death rates.
While not always avoidable, there are effective ways to lower the chances of SIDS by following safe sleep practices. These strategies include:
- Placing babies on their backs
- Giving babies their own space to sleep
- Avoiding placing them in the same bed as you
- Providing them with a firm and flat mattress
- Keeping their sleep space clutter-free by avoiding pillows, bumpers, blankets, and toys
Cribs for Kids® is a national infant safe sleep organization dedicated to preventing infant sleep-related deaths due to accidental suffocation. The organization launched The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program in 2015. The program recognizes hospitals and healthcare systems for their commitment to infant safe sleep practices.
Earlier this year, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced that all 26 Maine birthing hospitals (including Mid Coast Hospital) are Safe Sleep Certified. Maine is just the second state in the nation to achieve this milestone. To become certified, hospitals must develop and maintain a safe sleep policy, train staff on safe sleep guidelines, and educate parents on safe sleep practices prior to discharge.
This program recognizes Mid Coast Hospital for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep through following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and providing training programs for healthcare team members, and family caregivers.
To learn more about Mid Coast Hospital Maternity, please visit: http://www.midcoasthealth.com/maternity/
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