1. Awareness Prevention and
Each slide will provide a question, after thinking and answering the question click on the picture to reveal the correct response.
GOOD LUCK! 

2. SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)
SAFE SLEEP
SIDS
(sudden infant death syndrome)
“Back to Sleep” only!!

3. What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?
SIDS is the sudden and unexpected death of an infant under one year of age that remains unexplained after a complete investigation including:
- An autopsy
- A death scene investigation
- Review of medical history

4. Child Fatality Data

5. What causes SIDS?
There are still no adequate medical explanations for SIDS deaths, current theories include:
stress in a normal baby, caused by infection or other factors
a birth defect
failure to develop
a critical period when all babies are especially vulnerable, such as a time of rapid growth.

6. What is the triple threat theory?
Vulnerable Infant: an infant with this underlying abnormality in an area of their brainstem that controls respiration, heart rate, thermoregulation and other major bodily functions during early life.
Critical Development Period: the first six months of life where the baby is growing and developing very rapidly.  This rapid growth can make a baby’s system become unstable.
External Stressors: (outside or environmental challenges) which a normal baby can easily overcome and survive, but that an already vulnerable baby night not.

7. Triple Risk Model
Certain infants possess underlying vulnerabilities that place them at risk for sudden death.
It is believed that the convergence of these three factors can set the stage for a SIDS death.
Risk reduction efforts are geared toward keeping these factors from converging.

8. What are some risk factors for SIDS?
Prone sleep position
Soft bedding
Maternal smoking during pregnancy
Exposure to nicotine after birth
Overheating
Late or no prenatal care
Prematurity and/or low birth weight
Young maternal age
Male gender

9. At what age does SIDS most likely occur?
SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants between one to 12 months old.
Most SIDS deaths occur when a baby is between 2 and 4 months of age. 

10. Boys are at a higher risk, 60:40 ratio

11. Why does sleep position make a difference?
Less potential for rebreathing CO2
More arousable
Less “burrowing”
Less moving around the sleep area
Jaw is less likely to occlude airway
May have better airway and cardiovascular protective mechanisms
May be less compression of vertebral arteries

13. Will a baby choke on spit-up or vomit during sleep if placed on its back?
No, babies have a natural reflex to turn their head and spit will drip out the side of the mouth instead of pooling around the mouth (which may put them at a higher risk).

14. What is a healthy temperature environment for a sleeping infant?
Avoid over heating/ over bundling, can disrupt arousal.
Dress as is comfortable for adults.
Thermostat no higher than 70̊
Dress in layers

15. How does Nicotine relate to SIDS?
Smoking during pregnancy and exposure to second hand smoke are highly correlated with SIDS risk
Research suggests that nicotine may further disrupt an infant’s arousal mechanism
Dose-response: the more the cigarettes smoked, the higher the risk
Maintain a smoke-free zone around the baby
Nicotine on clothing can also be harmful

16. Can pacifiers help reduce the risk of SIDS?
Studies have consistently shown that there is a significant reduced risk of SIDS with pacifier use.
Consider offering baby a pacifier at naptime and bedtime.
Do not force baby to take pacifier if he/she refuses it.
Do not resist once baby falls asleep.
Introduce pacifier after one month of age to breastfed infants to ensure breastfeeding is firmly established.

17. What is a safe sleep environment?
Firm, flat sleep surface is essential
Use of crib or portable crib is recommended
No pillows, sheepskins, fluffy comforters, blanket rolls, bumper pads or burp rags.
No stuffed toys in bed with the baby
No waterbeds EVER
Avoid use of blankets that can cover the baby’s face; instead dress the baby in layers under blanket sleeper in cold weather
Position infants “feet-to-foot” if blankets are used

18. If a blanket is being used, put the baby’s feet at the foot of the bed
If a blanket is being used, put the baby’s feet at the foot of the bed. Tuck the blanket around the crib mattress only as far as the baby’s chest.

19. What is SIDS not? SIDS is NOT: caused by external suffocation
Caused by vomiting and choking
Contagious
Painful and does not cause suffering
Predictable
NEW (Referred in Old Testament-1Kings 3:19)

20. Could a baby who died of SIDS be resuscitated?
No, a baby who dies of SIDS will die. However, this should never be a reason not to attempt resuscitation.
SIDS is only a diagnosis after death and a complete investigation.

21. What do you do if baby will not sleep on his/her back and cries?
Sing, hum, or play soft music. Even making a soft rhythmic sound (Shhhhhhh) over and over will help calm the baby.
If needed, walk baby in your arms, then place him/her on back in the crib when baby is sleepy.
If baby still cries, ask for advice from your doctor or from a trusted friend or family member who has experience getting infants to sleep on their backs.
Place baby’s crib near your bed for at least 6 months. Your breathing may help your baby’s breathing patterns. This can help to lower the risk of SIDS.

22. Are babies uncomfortable on their backs?
Babies do sleep longer and more soundly on their tummies, but that is the problem. They sleep so deeply that they can not wake up easily when they might be in danger.
Some babies seem happier on their tummies. However, babies will adjust to sleeping on their backs if you start placing them on their backs for EVERY sleep.

23. What if baby wakes up fussy during the night?
Wait a moment to make sure the baby is actually awake. Some babies fuss a bit during an “active phase” of sleep, and then fall back asleep.
If baby wakes up and cries, go to him/her as quickly as possible (that helps calm baby so he/she can fall asleep again.
Hold and feed baby is he/she is hungry, and comfort him/her before placing back to sleep in their own crib.
Try not to play with baby during the night when he/she wakes up.

24. Why is tummy time important?
To help develop upper body strength and prevent flat spots on the baby’s head.
Tummy time should be encouraged during play time.
Limit time baby spends in swings, bouncy chairs, car seats, and other devices to reduce the incidence of flat spots.

25. Without blankets or toys On a properly fitting firm mattress
Create a safe sleep zone
EVERY TIME!
On their Back
In a crib or bassinet
Without blankets or toys
ALONE
On a properly fitting firm mattress

26. Risk Factors Protective Factors No Influence
R Side Sleeping
N Heredity
N Low Socio-Economic Status
R Age 2-4 months
R Male Gender
R Bumper Pads
R Blankets
R Sleep Positioning Devices
R African American
R Born in the Fall/Winter
R Brain Stem Abnormality
P Back Sleeping
P Tummy Time While Awake
R Soft Bedding
N Neglect
R Layers of Clothing
R Mom Smoking During Pregnancy
N Infant Apnea
N Apnea Monitor
R Sleeps on Tummy at Daycare ONLY
P Flat Firm Surface
R Warm Room Temperature
R Sleeping on Dad’s Chest
N Vomiting While Sleeping
R Sleeps Better on Tummy
P Immunizations
R Slight Cold
P Caucasian
P Use of Fan
R Young Mom
R Co-Sleeping
P Sleeping in a Dresser Drawer
P Pacifier Used
R Exposure to Nicotine after Birth
P Sleeping in Same Room as Parents
R Advice from Relatives

27. Risk Factors Protective Factors No Influence
R Side Sleeping
N Heredity
N Low Socio-Economic Status
R Age 2-4 months
R Male Gender
R Bumper Pads
R Blankets
R Sleep Positioning Devices
R African American
R Born in the Fall/Winter
R Brain Stem Abnormality
P Back Sleeping
P Tummy Time While Awake
R Soft Bedding
N Neglect
R Layers of Clothing
R Mom Smoking During Pregnancy
N Infant Apnea
N Apnea Monitor
R Sleeps on Tummy at Daycare ONLY
P Flat Firm Surface
R Warm Room Temperature
R Sleeping on Dad’s Chest
N Vomiting While Sleeping
R Sleeps Better on Tummy
P Immunizations
R Slight Cold
P Caucasian
P Use of Fan
R Young Mom
R Co-Sleeping
P Sleeping in a Dresser Drawer
P Pacifier Used
R Exposure to Nicotine after Birth
P Sleeping in Same Room as Parents
R Advice from Relatives