Infant/Toddler Safe Sleep & SIDS Risk Reduction in Child Care NEWSLETTER

SIDS
SIDS is the sudden and unexpected death of a baby that seemed healthy. A SIDS diagnosis hinges on three key factors:
~ an examination of the place where the baby died
~ an autopsy
~ a review of the baby's and sometimes the family's medical history

In North Carolina 102 babies died of SIDS in 2001. Some of these deaths occurred while the baby was in child care. Most SIDS deaths happen in the baby's home, when the baby does not awaken from sleep.

SIDS Awareness
The goal of SIDS awareness and education is to help parents, grandparents, families and child care providers learn what they can do to help protect babies and reduce their risk for SIDS. Engaging in safe sleep practices and creating a safe sleeping place can lower the chances of SIDS. The "Back To Sleep" Campaign promotes the placing of babies on their back to sleep for naps and at night. Consistently putting healthy babies on their "back to sleep" has been shown to reduce SIDS risks. Conversely, babies that are placed on their stomach for sleeping are at an increased risk for SIDS.

These simple steps help create a safer sleep environment for babies:
~ No secondhand smoke
~ A comfortable room temperature (68-72 F), not too hot
~ The crib mattress should be firm with a tight fitting sheet
~ Toys, stuffed animals, fluffy blankets and pillows should not be in the crib when baby sleeps

The ITS-SIDS Project was developed to assist licensed child care providers in North Carolina in creating safer sleep environments for babies and to take steps to lower SIDS risks for the babies in their care. The two-year project began July 1, 2002.

• In September, 102 Division of Child Development Licensing Consultants, LC Supervisors and Child Abuse & Neglect staff were trained to collect baseline data through observations and interviews with child care providers.
• Technical Assistance in the form of newsletter articles and information has been provided to child care and health agencies.
• ITS-SIDS information, maps and resources are available on this Web site - click on "SIDS & Child Care" or "ITS-SIDS"
• The ITS-SIDS Advisory Group convened on September 25, 2002.
• ITS-SIDS Trainers are currently being recruited.

The ITS-SIDS Advisory Group convened for the first time on Tuesday, September 25, 2002. Representatives from key SIDS and child care related agencies including the N.C. SIDS Program, the N.C. Division of Child Development, N.C. Partnership for Children, The Cooperative Extension Service, American Academy of Pediatrics and child care providers were asked to serve as volunteers on the advisory board. Their role will be to provide guidance, insights, networking and problem solving for the smooth operation of the project.

The six members in attendance included: