(RxWiki News) Ads for sleep products and bedding often promote unsafe infant sleep environments that could raise the risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a new study found.
The ads often showed sleep environments that go against the most recent guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
SIDS is the unexplained death, typically during sleep, of an otherwise healthy baby younger than 1.
A type of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants 1 to 12 months old, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The researchers behind this study evaluated more than 1,750 crib displays from 11 chain stores across the nation. They found that almost half of the displays were categorized as unsafe sleeping environments according to the AAP guidelines.
Seventy percent of the cribs found to be unsafe had a bumper pad and 56 percent of the cribs had loose bedding. Almost 13 percent of the cribs were found to contain soft objects.
Although there has been some improvement in the number of ads that follow safe sleep recommendations, around 35 percent of magazine ads for these products showed unsafe sleeping environments and went against safe sleeping recommendations, according to the study.
While there is no guaranteed method to prevent SIDS, creating a safe sleep environment for your baby through these steps may make all the difference.
Establish a Safe Sleep Environment
The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a safe crib or bassinet. Avoid placing the crib or bassinet near a window, as the blind cords can pose a strangulation hazard. Furthermore, avoid placing other items that have cords near the crib.
The CDC recommends checking the crib for loose or missing parts. A crib with missing hardware can result in the side rail moving positions, potentially causing your baby to become stuck between the rail and the mattress.
Be aware of whether the crib you have purchased has had any product recalls. If your crib needs any repairs, make sure to use the parts the manufacturer provides.
Safety Tips
1) Always place your baby on his or her back. Never place your baby on his or her side, as this is not a stable position. Your baby can easily turn onto his or her stomach.
2) Keep the crib bare and remove all pillows, extra bedding and plush toys. Avoid laying your baby on thick or fluffy quilts. The mattress should be firm. In fact, experts recommend removing all extra bedding, pillows and plush toys. Crib bumpers and infant sleep positioners are not recommended.
3) Let your baby sleep alone. As much as you may want to sleep with your baby, having your baby sleep in your bed is not safe and is therefore not recommended. Your baby can become caught and suffocate in different areas on an adult mattress.
4) Check the space between the crib and mattress. The mattress should fit tightly within the crib. In fact, there should not be any big gaps. Check the space between the mattress and crib. If you can fit two fingers in between the mattress and the crib, it is not safe. Your baby can become stuck in the gap.
Devices That Claim to Reduce SIDS Risk
A variety of baby products are marketed to prevent or reduce the risk of SIDS. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some examples of these baby products include the following:
- Baby monitors
- Mattresses
- Crib tents
- Pillows
- Crib bedding, including bumpers and blankets
- Infant positioners
None of these baby products have been approved by the FDA to prevent or reduce the risk of SIDS. In fact, the FDA has never approved a product to prevent or reduce the risk of SIDS.
If you have any questions about preventing SIDS, ask your pediatrician.
The recent study on ads and safe sleeping environments was published in the journal Pediatrics.
The authors behind this study disclosed no potential conflicts of interest. The University of Alabama at Birmingham Pediatric Pulmonary Center supported this study.
