More Nurseries Putting
Babies To Sleep on Backs

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A greater number of newborn nurseries are following national guidelines aimed at reducing the rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in the US, researchers report.

Interviews with head nurses in all hospital nurseries in Missouri revealed that in 1999, 100% of nurseries placed babies to sleep on their backs or sides. Seven years earlier, nearly one third of head nurses placed babies to sleep on their stomach.

Similarly, more hospitals are advising parents to place their babies to sleep on their backs. In 1992, 80% of head nurses told parents to place their babies to sleep on their stomach or back. By the end of the decade, 72% of nurses recommended parents place babies on their back or side.

Although the current study in the June issue of The Journal of Family Practice looked only at nurseries in one state, Dr. John E. Delzell, Jr. of the University of Missouri in Columbia and the study's lead author said a national analysis of nurseries is ongoing.

``I would expect that nurseries in other states would have seen a similar change in practice and attitudes since the institution of the 'Back to Sleep' program,'' Delzell told Reuters Health, adding that the rate of SIDS is likely to decline.

The cause of SIDS, a major cause of death among infants, is not known. But putting infants to sleep on their stomachs, using soft bedding and exposing them to cigarette smoke can all increase the risk, research has shown.

In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued the recommendation that healthy babies be placed on their backs to sleep. In 1994, the AAP joined with the US Public Health Service and other organizations to kick off a national awareness campaign called ``Back to Sleep.''

But 58% of head nurses said they disagreed with the recommendation in 1992. That number declined to 25% of head nurses by the end of the decade.

While prone or stomach sleeping was no longer a standard practice in any nursery by the end of the decade, some nurses said they would use the position for babies who spit up frequently, and immediately after a feeding.

``Important change has occurred in nursery practice, opinion, and advice to parents since the announcement of the AAP recommendation on infant sleep position in 1992,'' Delzell and colleagues conclude. ``However, some head nurses still disagree with this recommendation, and this may affect the nursery positioning practice and the advice given to mothers.''

SOURCE: The Journal of Family Practice 2001;50:488.

Reference Source 89

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