Alert: Infant Sleep Positioners Pose Hazards

By Susan Brady

Alert: Infant Sleep Positioners Pose Hazards

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have issued a warning against the use of infant sleep positioners. These padded, used to keep an infant sleeping in one position, pose a suffocation risk. If a small infant flips over or scoots around while in a sleep positioner, they can have a hard time freeing their faces from the device or they can become trapped between the positioner and the side of their crib or bassinet.

According to the FDA, at least 12 babies, aged 1 to 4 months, have died in the last thirteen years when they suffocated in their positioner or when they became trapped between a positioner and the side of their bed. The statistics are probably much higher than that however, as there has been a dramatic increase in accidental suffocation and strangulation deaths in bed or ASSB.

The decline in the rates of SIDS has been offset by the increase in other sudden unexplained infant deaths, a new category that is called SUIDs. ASSB death, which is a subgroup of SUIDs, is said to be a leading cause of infant mortality. SUIDs, include all of the deaths attributed to accidental strangulation and suffocation, SIDS, and all unknown causes.

Sleep positioners are sold with claims of reducing the incidence of acid reflux, flat head syndrome and SIDS, although there is apparently no scientific evidence to support these claims. There is no need to spend money on these accessories, as they are unnecessary. Put your baby to sleep on his or her back, and keep the crib free of pillows, comforters, quilts and toys. That way, your baby has room to safely move or turn while sleeping. Here is an easy way to remember—follow the ABCs of safe sleep: Alone on the Back in a bare Crib.

Here are a few tips to keep your child safe while sleeping:

• Make sure that your infants are put to bed on their backs and not on their stomachs.
• Infants should sleep on a mattress that is hard. Soft bedding can lead to suffocation.
• Remove any stuffed toys or heavy blankets from the sleep area.
• Consider using single-piece sleep attire, sometime called an onesie, that would keep the baby warm without any covers or blankets.
• Clear everything from around the crib. Infants have been strangled on cords from blinds.
• The slats on cribs should not be far enough apart for the infants to stick their head through.
• Use thin bumper pads instead of the thick fluffy ones.
• Instead of asking other mothers or grandmothers for advice, consult your doctor. The times have changed and so has the advice.
• Be aware that cribs that are bought at garage sales or one that you have stored in the attack might not meet current guidelines of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Putting infants to bed on their sides is also dangerous; it is very easy for them to roll onto their stomachs.
• Make sure that caregivers know what you do about putting your infant or baby to bed. Many do not know, even at established day-care centers.
• Pacifiers are O.K. to use when placing a baby down to sleep, but they should not be left in the crib after they fall asleep.

source : healthnews.com