SIDS and Kids Red Nose Day – Is Your Baby Sleeping Safely?
20 June 2007
Don’t be surprised if you see Bingara and Warialda Community Health staff wearing red on 29 June, it’s all in support of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and Kids Red Nose Day, helping to raise awareness of safe sleeping practices for babies.
Child, Youth and Family Health Nurse, Debbie Armstrong said the SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping health promotion campaign is responsible for a 90% reduction in infant deaths in Australia since it began in the early 1990’s. She said SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping has saved the lives of over 4,500 Australian children.
To help get the message across and raise funds for SIDS research, Debbie Armstrong said staff will be selling Red Nose Day promotional products at the Bingara and Warialda Health Service, the Warialda Pharmacy and the Bingara Post office during the month of June.
She said a check list for safe sleeping will be distributed to staff, child and family health clients, and community members through local medical centres, pharmacies and the Bingara Post Office.
"While the safe sleeping practices has made a huge difference to baby deaths, in 2004 over 2,000 babies were stillborn or died in the first month of life. SIDS and Kids is now funding research to find out why these babies die.
"SIDS and Kids also provides support to all Australian families and the community following the death of an infant or young child no matter what the cause of death.
"Without the community support of Red Nose Day SIDS and Kids would not be able to provide all these services to the community," Debbie Armstrong said.
The Safe Sleeping Checklist invites parents, grandparents and carers of children to make sure they answer "YES" to the following questions.
1. Has baby been placed on the back to sleep?
2. Is baby sleeping in a safe bassinette or cot, and away from hazards?
3. Does the cot meet Australian Standards for cots?
4. Is the mattress firm?
5. Does the mattress fit the cot / bassinette well?
6. Is the mattress clean and in good condition?
7. Is baby’s face and head uncovered?
8. Have any pillows, duvets, lambs wool, cot bumpers and soft toys been removed?
9. If using a baby sleeping bag, does it have a fitted neck, armholes or sleeves and no hood?
10. If using blankets rather than a sleeping bag, has baby been placed to sleep with feet touching the bottom of the cot / bassinette with blankets securely tucked in?
11. Is baby having tummy time to play when awake and supervised?
12. If you are a smoker have you stopped smoking or contacted your doctor or Quit line for help?
13. Do you always remember to never sleep baby on a sofa, beanbag, waterbed or pillow?
14. Are other family members aware of how to sleep baby safely?
For more information on SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping you can contact your local Child and Family Health Nurse, local doctor or check out the web on www.sidsandkids.org
Contact: Kay Cope
Phone: 6776 9817