Safe Sleep Practices and SIDS Risk Reduction Knowledge among New Mothers

Background: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of infant death beyond the newborn period. Objective: Determine the effectiveness of SIDS education at a newborn nursery, and assess safe sleep knowledge and perceptions among new mothers. Design/Methods: Cross-sectional, telephone survey conducted at 2-4 weeks postpartum. Surveys assessed infant sleep position and safe sleep knowledge and perceptions. Results: The 247 participants were young (mean age + SD: 27 + 6 yrs), and largely low-income (68% with WIC) and African American (60%). For the majority (71%), the highest level of education was high school, 47% were single, and 39% were primiparous. 11% stated that a non-back position was the safest, and 15% reported co-bedding with their newborn. Only 64% recalled a doctor talking about safe sleep position. Though the majority (62%) of mothers reported the postpartum period as the first time a health professional (HP) spoke to them about safe sleep, 34% reported that a HP discussed safe sleep during pregnancy. As many as 22% of mothers felt that infants were more likely to choke while on their backs. Single mothers were less likely than married mothers to know that the safest sleep position is the back (80% vs. 92%, p < 0.05), and like WIC recipients were more likely to think that the back sleep position is associated with an increased risk for choking. Conclusions: HPs need to emphasize use of the back sleep position, address related concerns about choking, and educate families about the risks of co-bedding.