Phoenix Children’s health expert advises parents to follow safe sleep practices for babies

PHOENIX — October is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month, and a local health expert has recommendations for parents to ensure their babies are sleeping correctly.

“When parents go ahead and put babies to sleep in an unsafe environment such as a memory foam bed, a water bed, a couch or even an adult bed, we put babies in a high risk for suffocation, entrapment, falls and even death,” Ilce Alexander, a senior injury prevention specialist for Phoenix Children’s, told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

The number of sudden unexpected infant deaths in Arizona has fluctuated in recent years, with most caused by suffocation and unsafe sleep environments.

The most recent state data shows 75 were reported in 2019, with suffocation being the top cause of death. That’s up from 57 infant deaths in 2018 and 83 in 2017.

African American and American Indian/Alaska Native infants are disproportionately affected.

Alexander said the vast majority of these deaths could’ve been prevented by following safe sleep practices, including putting babies to sleep alone on their backs.

She said cribs and bassinets should not have pillows, blankets or toys – all of which could cause babies to suffocate.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends infants don’t share a bed with their parents. However, it does recommend they share a room for at least the first six months to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

“This really helps those families that are breastfeeding,” Alexander said about room-sharing, adding it gives parents some peace of mind knowing they can keep a close watch on their babies.

The Arizona Department of Child Safety has a campaign to educate families about safe sleep practices and connects them to resources for cribs.

There are also various places throughout Arizona that provide safe sleep education to parents and caregivers. Some also provide free portable cribs to families who cannot otherwise afford one.

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