SIDS (cot death) prevention guideline - AAP

New guidelines produced by the Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome say that in addition to "back to sleep," the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends eight other measures for minimizing risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, or cot death), joining the Netherlands and Germany in recommending pacifier (dummy) use.

The other measures are:

• Infants should sleep on their backs, not on their sides or stomach.
• The sleep surface should be a firm crib mattress, without other padding.
• Keep all loose bedding and soft objects out of the crib.
• Do not smoke during pregnancy.
• Infants should sleep in the same room, but not the same bed, as the mother. Bed sharing is not recommended.
• Consider offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime. Avoid a pacifier in the first month of breastfeeding. Do not force a pacifier if the infant does not want it.
  
• Avoid overbundling and overheating.
• Avoid devices to prevent SIDS risk, since none have been tested for safety or effectiveness.
• Do not use home monitors (respiratory or cardiac), since they have not been shown to be effective at reducing risk of SIDS or identifying infants at high risk.

(Courtesy of Daily InfoPOEMS)

For the full article:
American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The changing concept of sudden infant death syndrome: Diagnostic coding shifts, controversies regarding the sleeping environment, and new variables to consider in reducing risk. Pediatrics 2005; 116:1245-55.