AAP Expands Infant Safe Sleep Recommendations

October 18, 2011

The American Academy of Pediatrics released new recommendations to reduce SIDS and Sleep Related Infant Deaths, expanding its guidelines on safe sleep for babies, with additional information for parents on creating a safe environment for their babies to sleep. Read the media release here.  

Despite the success of Back to Sleep, too many infant deaths still involve unsafe sleeping environments and locations. Sleep-related deaths from other causes, including suffocation, entrapment and asphyxia, have increased. "We have tried to make it easier for parents and providers to understand the recommendations by providing specific answers to common questions," said Rachel Moon, MD, FAAP, chair of the AAP SIDS task force in a released statement.  “As a health care community, we need to do a better job translating what the research identifies as ‘best practices’ into the day-to-day practice of caring for infants in both the hospital and home environment.”

Michigan-based Tomorrow’s Child is partnering with AAP to promote the new guidelines. For more information, contact Sandra Frank with Tomorrow's Child @ 1-800-331-7437.