Infant's Safety in Bassinets, Co-sleepers, Cradles...

I would like to share with you the article that I read lately, related to infant's deaths in US.
I wrote many articles about this important topic and think that parents could learn from this one too...

“African American infant mortality is much higher than Caucasian infant mortality across the United States,” says Jenifer Cartland, PhD, director of the research center’s Child Health Data Lab. “In Cook County, IL. sleep-related death is responsible for 20 percent of the African American infant mortality, but it might be prevented by assuring that all infants have a safe place to sleep and that parents are well educated about safe sleep practices.”

Karen Sheehan, MD, MPH at Children’s Memorial says, “The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children should be put to sleep on their backs, in a safety-approved crib (or bassinet for younger children) with a firm mattress, and free from any objects (even blankets or toys) that could cover the baby’s face.”

Parents don’t always have all the knowledge or all the resources they need to put their infant to bed safely. Based on the research, 56.7 percent of the deaths occurred while the infant was sharing a bed with an adult and 30 percent occurred when the baby was sleeping alone, but not in a crib or bassinet (such as on a couch or a pillow on the floor). Few of these infants — only 7.5 percent – were found in safe sleep circumstances, that is, in a crib or bassinet with the baby on his or her back.

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New Recall on Baby Slings

A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warning this month advised parents to be cautious when using slings — particularly brands that hold babies in a chin-to-chest, curved position — with infants younger than 4 months. The agency is investigating about a dozen suffocation deaths associated with sling-style carriers, many involving premature babies or ones with breathing issues.
Like any baby product — cribs, strollers, car seats, playpens — slings come with inherent risks and require parents to be wary and use common sense. When a stroller is deemed unsafe — like one recalled last year because it posed a risk of cutting kids' fingers — we don't ban strollers altogether. We issue warnings and try to make them safer
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Baby Slings...

If you are one of the parents that loves to use baby slings, maybe you see more benefits then hazards, you should read this article.
I know parents who think that baby slings are the best way to bond with their newborns and use them anyway.

A federal safety commission on Friday issued a warning for baby-carrying slings, blaming them for three infant deaths in 2009.

Some sling manufacturers, however, opposed the warning, saying it could hurt their business and argued the slings are safe if used properly.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said slings have been associated with at least 14 infant deaths over the last 20 years. Most of the babies who died were under four months old and had either a low birth weight, were born prematurely, or had breathing issues such as a cold, the commission reported.

Slings are made from cloth and wrap around a parent's body, allowing them to carry a baby close on the chest, back, or hip.

The commission said the slings pose a suffocation hazard. The fabric can block a baby's breathing, resulting in death within a minute, it reported. And if the sling keeps the baby in a curled position, the airway can be restricted, rendering the baby unable to cry while suffocation occurs, the commission said.

It recommended that parents and caregivers who use a sling make sure the baby's face is visible, the chin upright, and that the baby isn't pressed up against the body. Babies should be checked frequently, it added.

The commission said it is currently developing a safety standard for all slings.

I wrote a few articles about baby slings, benefits, safety issues, and concerns.
I hope, again, that the information helps baby slings users, at least parents can use some above mentioned safety tips to prevent injuries or even infants deaths.
I will inform you on my blog, when the safety standards for baby slings will be made.

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How to keep your Baby safe in his Bassinet or Cradle

All parents want to create a cozy, safe, and secure bedroom for their newborn. Infant’s safety is number one concern for new parents when they bring new baby home.
Approximately one or two newborns out of every one thousand die in their sleep, for no apparent reason, and diagnosis is the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome- SIDS.

Always remember about safety, when leaving your baby alone for a nap or sleep:
- place your baby always face up for sleeping,
- never add more extra mattress padding,
- never cover the mattress with a plastic bag,
- never use pillows of any kind and size in the bassinet or co-sleeper,
- don’t use baby poppers (wedges), usually firm bolsters, some made in a triangular shape, these can be just as dangerous as pillows. Simply laying your baby on his back should be sufficient. Baby’s neck can be captured over the edge of the proper and block airways.
- don’t use any kinds of bed warmers, like electric blankets, heating pads or warm water bottles in baby’s bed. A baby’s skin is extremely sensitive to heat, and your child can be burned by temperatures that would seem comfortable to an adult.
Newborn’s main activity is napping and sleeping. From birth to 6 months old they sleep 10-18 hours each day. Creating a safe and cozy bedroom is so important.
- Crib or bassinet location is a very important part of the infant’s bedroom.
The center of the room is a safe crib spot, protecting baby from reaching out to pull anything down from walls, furniture, or windows.
Since you will be leaving your baby for a long time in the nursery, you’ll want her or him to be safe,
- keep wall hangings with ribbons or streamers out of reach of the crib. Blind cords can strangle babies in cribs,
- regularly check crib bars and hardware,
- purchase window locks or guards.
Position the baby in a corner of the crib or bassinet, head touching the bumper or soft padding to provide a feeling of security. Infants may feel overwhelmed and not secure in big, traditional cribs. Infants feel much better in smaller beds, like baby bassinets or co-sleepers. Both are recommended for newborns up to age of 6 months.
1. Co-sleepers or bedside sleepers are designed for newborns and nursing infants. They allow baby to sleep in his own protected, small area adjoining your bed. The sleeper fits flush against the side of your bed, at the same height as your mattress, with an open side next to your bed allowing easy access to the baby.
2. Bassinets and cradles are also small sleeping beds that offer a nest for newborn near the parent’s bed.
They present an alternative to putting your newborn into a large crib but are meant to use only in the first few months of baby’s life. You’ll have your infant close by for multiple nighttime feedings and diaper changes. All small babies also seem more at home in a confined space then in a large, airy crib. These wheeled baby beds take up little space and can be rolled easily from one room to another.

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www.babystrollerupdate.blogspot.com

www.bicycletrailerreview.blogspot.com

www.4baby.storeblogs.com