Health Department educating parents on safe sleep for babies

Sleep is the most natural thing in the world. Everyone does it — from infants to centenarians.

And yet for infants, the position and the environment in which they sleep can be one of the most important factors in living to see their first birthday.

That’s where Sherri Miller, assistant public health nurse at the Putnam County Health Department, comes in.

Since May, Miller has been working with Indiana Safe Sleep to educate parents and other caregivers on the sleep habits that are best for babies.

“I was passionate about starting this program,” Miller said. “I feel like if we can do this program and save one baby, it’s worth it.”

One of the first lessons is to let caregivers know that babies should sleep on their backs, a change from the mixed messages of decades ago. Miller knows this from when she had her own children.

“When I had my babies it was common practice to put babies on their stomach or side-to-side. Now, that’s a no-no,” Miller said. “And it was common practice to have the comforters and padding, and now that’s all gone.”

Years of research has proven the back to be the safest position for babies. While some worry about a baby spitting up and then chocking on the liquid, a human trachea (the tube to the lungs) is actually in front of the esophagus (tube to the stomach), so when a baby spits up, gravity will keep the spit-up in the esophagus, and it will either come out of the mouth or be swallowed.

Either way, the airway is protected when the baby is on its back.

Additionally, placing babies on their stomachs does not allow them to breath fresh air.

Studies have shown that after the “Back-to-Sleep” campaign was launched in 1994, incidents of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) dropped by more than 50 percent.

On this particular point, Miller has found that it’s a matter not only of training new parents but of retraining older people who find themselves caregivers again. In her first group of Safe Sleep participants earlier this year, she had both a grandmother and a great-grandmother.

“The grandparents and great-grandparents have a mindset of putting babies on their bellies, as they were taught,” Miller said. “But you show them the numbers of how things have improved since going to sleep on their bellies. It’s a definite blessing for sure.”

In addition to sleep position, sleep location is just as important. For a variety of reasons, parents often find it convenient or comforting to sleep with their infants, but this can be dangerous.

“In reality, that’s where things can happen,” Miller said. “The parent can roll over on them or the baby can get wedged between the mattress and the wall.”

Even for breastfeeding mothers, while it’s perfectly acceptable to feed the baby in bed, they are encouraged to remove soft items and bedding from the area while feeding. Most importantly, when the baby is done with eating and burping, she should be placed back in a separate sleeping area.

That separate sleeping area is another important factor. Whether it’s a crib, bassinet or pack ’n play, babies need a separate, flat area in which to sleep.

Most importantly, the area should be free of any plush items such as stuffed animals, bedding or crib padding — only a fitted sheet.

If there is concern about the baby being cold, something like a sleep sack — which the baby is zipped inside — is recommended.

“We tell them, no stuffed animals in that crib ­— nothing,” Miller said.

As for parents wanting to have babies in the same room, that’s fine provided that the baby has his own safe sleeping area.

“You can have the baby in your room — in that pack ’n play,” Miller said. “In fact, they encourage it, just not in bed with you.”

With this in mind, caregivers who complete the Safe Sleep training are actually given a pack ’n play to encourage safe habits. They are even shown how to put up and tear down the device, then must display that they can do the same.

Other items given to those completing the course include a fitted crib sheet, sleep sack and pacifiers.

What comes first, though, is the education. Caregivers are shown a DVD on safe sleeping habits and generally educated on safe sleep habits and other ways to keep kids safe.

“So many parents, they leave them in the car seat if they’re sleeping,” Miller said. “That’s a big no-no. They not quite strong enough to hold that neck up.”

Concerns are also addressed, such as the way babies’ heads form when they sleep on their backs.

“That’s why it’s important that during the day you do tummy time, while they’re alert and parents can watch,” Miller said.

While safe sleeping habits are always important and the Safe Sleep program is available throughout the year, October is Safe Sleep Month.

To learn more about the Safe Sleep program, contact Miller at the Putnam County Health Department at 765-301-7671.