More than half of sudden infant deaths are the result of poor sleep practices. Babies should sleep alone, on a firm mattress and without objects that pose a risk of suffocation.
- Many cases of sudden infant death syndrome are the result of poor sleep habits.
- A baby must sleep in a cradle, with a suitable sleeping bag, and without any object that could suffocate him.
- The child should not be left alone when sleeping.
Sudden infant death syndrome is the leading cause of death for babies between 28 days and one year of age. Between 250 and 350 children are affected each year according to Public Health France. A research team from the University of Virginia, in the United States, was interested in the causes of these premature deaths.
Sudden infant death: poor sleep habits to blame
In a communicatedthey present the main conclusion of their research: “Multiple unsafe sleep practices were at play in more than three-quarters of sudden and unexpected infant deaths reported in 23 jurisdictions between 2011 and 2020., they reveal. Among these dangerous practices, they cite in particular bed sharing. “Of the 7,595 infant deaths examined, nearly 60% of infants shared a sleeping surface, such as a bed, at the time of their deathdevelop the authors. This practice is strongly discouraged by sleep experts, who warn that a parent or other bed partner could unintentionally roll over and suffocate the baby.” Other infants were in age-inappropriate surfaces such as an adult chair or couch instead of the crib recommended by sleep experts.
Prevention, the key to reducing the risk of sudden infant death
The researchers point out that it was rare for bed-sharing to be the only risk factor present in the death of a child. “The findings highlight the need for better public education about safe sleep practices and for health care providers to take a more active role in teaching these practices to new parents.”estimate the researchers.
An observation shared by Public Health Francefor who “prevention remains the best lever to reduce the number of deaths”. In particular, it recalls the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics: place infants in dorsal decubitus, that is to say lying on their back, with a sleeping bag at their waist, on a firm mattress, in a bed with bars without cushion, sheet, duvet, pillow, extra mattress, baby wedge, bed bumper or other objects (soft toys, stuffed animals, etc.) that could cover, suffocate or confine the child.
Sudden infant death syndrome: a baby should not sleep alone
In their study, the scientists also noted that many babies slept alone, which is strongly discouraged by specialists. Public Health France reminds that it is necessary “have the child sleep in his parents’ room for at least the first 6 months or even the first year”, but in his own cradle. “Concerning cradles stuck to the bed, there is no study to indicate (or advise against) this practice, it is however essential to respect the usual sleeping rules.warns the organization.
According to Public Health France, France is one of the European countries where the prevalence of sudden infant death is highest. “Despite a reduction of more than 75% in the number of deaths following national campaigns and prevention advice around sleeping in the 1990s, the number of deaths has stagnated since the 2000snotes the organization. It is currently estimated that 50% of cases of unexpected infant death could be avoided by respecting the recommended prevention measures, particularly in terms of environment and sleeping arrangements.”
