Viral illnesses are all too common this time of year. These illnesses can seem especially scary in infants and small children - they may have an immature immune system, they may still only be breathing through their noses, they are being exposed to multiple infections for the first time, and they are so little! When my kids are sick, I know I want to keep them as close as I can. Especially during times of illness, it is so important to continue to practice safe sleep to reduce the risk of unexpected death.
Practice Safe Sleep
What does safe sleep look like? Whenever they are asleep:
Infants should be placed alone, on their backs in their crib, bassinet, or pack and play without any extra toys, blankets, bumpers, or other items.
Babies should share a room with their caregiver for at least the first six months of life but be in their own sleep space.
Infants should be dressed in well-fitting clothing, in no more than an additional layer than an adult would be comfortable wearing in the same environment. A sleep sack or wearable blanket may be used, but an infant’s arms should be out once they are starting to roll.
Infants should not be placed to sleep with a hat, even though it may be cooler out.
It is most important that parents and caregivers carefully consider the suitability of the infant’s clothing for their specific environment, particularly to avoid overheating.
Unsafe Sleep-Related Death
Death in infancy related to unsafe sleep conditions continues to occur nationwide including here in Ohio. Rates of unsafe sleep related deaths have increased in recent years. Between 2019 and 2023 in Ohio, about twenty percent of infant deaths were sleep related with Black infants disproportionately represented.
When reviewing infant deaths related to unsafe sleep, over eighty percent of these deaths were deemed preventable. The American Academy of Pediatrics has proposed a triple risk model- unsafe sleep-related death occurs when an infant with inherent vulnerability is exposed to a stressor such as unsafe sleep practices during a critical developmental period. Risk factors associated with death related to unsafe sleep include inadequate prenatal care, prematurity, and caregiver substance use. Illness has also been described in review of cases of sleep-related infant death. Protective factors include breastfeeding, pacifier use, room-sharing without bedsharing, and that baby participates in tummy time while awake.
Protect Your Child from Preventable Illness
Protect your infant and small children with frequent and thorough handwashing, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and vaccinating according to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. Parents and other caregivers of children should also ensure their own vaccinations are up to date with their own primary care clinician. This may include routinely offered immunizations during pregnancy, booster doses of commonly given vaccines, and seasonal specific vaccines.
The Bottom Line
I always worried about my babies being okay when they were ill and sleeping in their crib! Reducing the number of deaths related to unsafe sleep practices means addressing all the modifiable risk factors including sleep position, environment and preventing infection when able to do so. Safe sleep practices save lives.
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