Dr. Erinn Schmit is a physician at Children’s Hospital with an interest in safe sleep for infants.
Q: Dr. Erinn Schmit, tell me about safe sleep and why it's one of your interests.
A: I’ve always been passionate about it because it affects so many babies in the country and Alabama specifically. 3,500 babies in the United States die every year from a sleep-related death such as sudden infant death syndrome or strangulation. This is disproportionately high in Alabama. The tragedy is that lots of cases would be preventable if all babies slept in a safe environment.
Q: What's the biggest safe sleep takeaway you hope parents get from this article?
A: I like to teach parents ABCs: Alone, Back and Crib. All babies under 1 year should be sleeping by themselves, in an empty sleep space without pillows, blankets or bumpers. They should be put on their back because this greatly decreases instances of death. Babies should be sleeping in a crib, pack and play or bassinet — something approved for babies. It's dangerous for babies to sleep in adult bed, and it’s more dangerous for babies to sleep on the couch or armchair.
Q: Why do you think so many parents ignore this advice?
A: It's really common that parents want to keep babies close to them, and they feel like they keep them safer when they're close. But there’s the possibility of rolling over onto the baby, and a mattress is way too soft, so there is a higher risk of suffocation. We recommend babies sleep in the same room, just not the same sleep surface.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to include?
A: I’d like to mention other safe sleep related things. We recommend that parents and caregivers avoid any tobacco use, because exposure to secondhand smoke increases SIDS.
There’s also a risk of strangulation with cords, such as the cord of a video monitor. Video monitors should be mounted to the wall, and the baby should not be able to get his or her hand on the cord. We recommend babies are put to sleep in just a sleep garment such as pajamas and a wearable blanket — no loose or fluffy blankets because those are a suffocation risk.
Parents can always talk to their baby’s pediatrician for advice and to ask questions.
