American Academy of Pediatrics Updated Guidelines

Orlando Doulas knows that keeping updated with information is essential. Knowledge is power. Last month the American Academy of Pediatrics updated its guidelines for safe infant sleep and breastfeeding/chestfeeding. Part 1 of our blog informed you of the changes in breastfeeding/chestfeeding and the relevant differences. This week in part two, we will cover the changes to safe sleep guidelines and highlight the new information that is important for you.

Keep in mind that these guidelines are only recommendations shown by evidence to reduce the risk of sleep-related deaths and that each family must decide where their baby will sleep based on their circumstances.

Part 2: AAP Safe Sleep Guidelines

The changes to the guidelines for safe sleep are not significant. But it is essential to understand what the AAP recommends concerning a safe sleep environment for your baby.

The Update

To reduce the risk of sleep-related infant death, the AAP recommends:

The baby should sleep on a firm, flat, non-inclined surface. According to the 2021 Consumer Product Safety Commission’s rule, any infant sleep product must meet federal safety standards. Use only products explicitly marketed for sleep.
Car seats, strollers, swings, infant carriers, and infant slings are not recommended for routine sleep in the hospital or home, particularly for infants younger than four months.
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of sleep-related infant deaths. While any human milk feeding is more protective than none, two months of feeding has significantly lowered the risk of sleep-related deaths.
AAP recommends that parents sleep in the same room for six months but urges no bedsharing.
Avoid parent and infant exposure to nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, opioids, and illicit drugs.
Make sure the baby receives routine immunizations.
Pacifier use is associated with reducing risk.
Avoid overheating and using infant hats during sleep.
Do not use home cardiorespiratory monitors as a strategy to reduce the risk of SIDS. There is no evidence that any of these devices reduce the risk of these deaths.
While awake and supervised, place the infant in tummy time for short periods beginning at birth. Increase to 15 to 30 minutes or more daily by seven weeks of age to facilitate infant development and minimize the effect of a flat head.
There is no evidence to recommend swaddling as a strategy to reduce the risk of SIDS. Place swaddled infants on their backs. Not recommended are weighted swaddles, weighted clothing, or weighted objects. Cease swaddling when the baby shows signs of rolling over.

Also

Keep the following items away from the infant’s sleep area to reduce the risk of SIDS, suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation:
- soft objects
- pillows
- pillow-like toys
- quilts and comforters
- mattress toppers
- fur-like materials
- loose bedding
- blankets
- nonfitted sheets

The Changes

One of the most note-worthy changes is the recommendation on how long to room share. The 2016 guidelines emphasized keeping the baby in your room for an entire year. The new guidelines suggest six months.

The report specifically addressed weighted sleep sacks, weighted swaddles, and other weighted sleep aides. These items are considered unsafe and not recommended. Although no evidence suggests that swaddling reduces the risk of SIDS, it is safe until the baby can roll over.

The AAP also noted that infant hats for warmth have more significant risks than benefits and are unnecessary after the first few hours of life.

Cardiorespiratory monitoring devices such as the Owlet show no evidence of reducing sleep-related deaths. The report notably stated that using products claiming to increase sleep safety may give caregivers a false sense of security and complacency.

Safe Sleep for Babies Act

A flat, firm surface with no toys, blankets, bumpers, etc., is the safest sleep environment for babies. Yet despite the evidence, crib bumpers, inclined sleepers, and other unsafe products have remained on the market Leading to preventable infant deaths.

The AAP-supported Safe Sleep for Babies Act recently passed in congress. This monumental victory for children’s health is the culmination of decades of pediatrician advocacy. It is a true game-changer in protecting infants from products that have no place in a safe sleep environment. When this bill becomes law, parents will have peace of mind that these dangerous products can no longer lead to preventable infant deaths.

The CPSC Rule

Additionally, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved a new federal rule to ensure that products marketed and intended for infant sleep provide a safe environment for babies under five months old. And by mid-2022, all products intended for infant sleep will have to meet a federal safety standard. Until June, no such standard existed. Hazardous sleep products such as inclined sleepers, travel and compact bassinets, and in-bed sleepers, which have led to infant deaths, will be eliminated by this new ruling.

SIDS is complex and multifactorial, but following safe sleep practices helps reduce the risk. And while there have been great strides, more work is crucial.

Keeping your newborn safe while you sleep often causes anxiety for new parents. Being aware of the guidelines set forth by the AAP can help you feel more confident in your baby’s safety overnight. Furthermore, new legislation mandates that unsafe products marketed for infant sleep will no longer be available.

For even more assurance Orlando Doulas LLC provides overnight care. We are up-to-date on the latest safe sleep recommendations. We also offer strategies to promote good sleep hygiene. Rest peacefully knowing our trained professionals are there watching over your little one while you sleep.

Overnight support is our number one service, so contact us today to reserve your due date on our calendar.

Orlando Doulas Supports Safe Sleep — Our overnight care lets you get the sleep you need.

References

Donna Delaney, Owner of Orlando Doulas, LLC, Certified Labor Doula

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