When you put your children in bed, do you put them in danger?

The Minnesota Department of Health encourages parents and caregivers (whether grandparents or nanny) to talk about the "basic knowledge" of safe sleep.

Data from Minnesota consistently shows that unsafe sleeping environments are the cause of almost all accidental infant deaths in Minnesota. Every year, about 50 or more Minnesota babies die suddenly and unexpectedly, and almost all of these tragic deaths occur in unsafe sleeping environments.

According to preliminary data, the national health department's analysis of 100 accidental sudden infant deaths in 2018 and 2019 found that 93% or 93 of them were related to sleep and occurred in unsafe sleeping environments.

A key point for parents and other caregivers is to understand the basics of safe sleep:

Alone: ​​Babies should always sleep or take naps alone.

Back: Always let the baby sleep on his back or take a nap.

Crib: Babies should always sleep or take naps in their own safety-approved crib, or play without blankets or pillows.

Minnesota State Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said: “Safe sleep habits are essential for all childcare providers, whether they are full-time, part-time, or friends and family are just taking care of the baby in the evening or afternoon.” “We need it. Provide all families and those caring for babies with the education and support they need, and create a safe sleeping environment for babies, such as special cribs."

Parents can consider sharing videos to provide grandparents and other trusted caregivers with safe baby sleep (available on YouTube), and should also be aware that the law requires licensed childcare providers to comply with infant-specific safe sleep standards and training Require.

Progress is being made in addressing the problem of accidental infant deaths. According to health experts, after the implementation of new standards and training requirements for safe sleep practices in 2013, the mortality rate of licensed childcare institutions has dropped significantly. In recent years, compared with at least 6 infant childcare deaths each year before the implementation of the standard, the number of infant childcare deaths and sleep related deaths has remained below 3 each year since the implementation of the standard. From 2008 to 2012, there were 12 in 2008.

The health department's review of infant deaths found that soft items such as blankets, pillows, crib bumpers and toys in cribs pose a danger, as well as exposure to cigarette smoke. It is also important that babies sleep separately from other sleeping children and adults, because studies have found that it is dangerous for babies to sleep with others.

A positive option is to share the same room, where babies sleep in their own safe-approved crib, cradle or playground, but breastfeed and change diapers at night nearby. According to the health department, a safe sleeping environment is as important during nap as it is during night sleep.

Parents are advised not to use blankets to keep babies warm, but to put them in pajamas or other clothes suitable for temperature. As always, if parents have any questions or concerns, they should talk to a doctor or nurse.