Safer Sleep reminder for all agencies

Date: Wednesday, 31st Jul 2024 | Category: Uncategorized

BHSCP would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of having conversations with parents and carers of babies and very young children around Safer Sleep. The occurrence of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is rare but in many cases preventable with advice – see: How to reduce the risk of SIDS for your baby – The Lullaby Trust. It is particularly important where there are unplanned sleeping arrangements or bed poverty.

It is important to plan how to provide a safer sleep environment for baby if they are going to be away from home (e.g. on holiday). A cot, Moses’ basket or travel cot is ideal, but there are other options if families don’t have access to one of these.

The Lullaby Trust has some excellent advice summer safety, and on planned and unplanned situations for sleeping away from home:

BHSCP have also developed the below resource for sharing with parents and carers.

Advice for Parents – Safer Sleep – Summer 2024_compressed

The Sussex Child Death Review Partnership are holding Free Safer Sleep for Babies and Coping with a Crying Baby webinars:

This 2-hour webinar, delivered by nurses from the safeguarding children team, is suitable for all professionals working with parents/carers who care for a young baby or expectant parent(s). Current research will be presented to enable you to learn about the importance of sharing new safer sleep information with families and also how to have effective conversations around crying babies. Information and resources will also be shared to support your work in this important area of safeguarding.

Training Objectives:

The aim of this webinar is to provide you with an awareness of safer sleeping messages and how you can support parents/carers in conversations around safer sleeping and coping with crying babies.

Learning Outcomes:

By attending this webinar, you will be able to:

List the key factors affecting vulnerability relating to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants (SUDI).
Have an improved awareness of safer sleep that will enable you to facilitate conversations with parents/carers in how to make every sleep a safer sleep.
Explain the responsibilities of professionals in making safer sleep everyone’s responsibility in aiming to reduce the incidence of SIDs/SUDI.
Explain about Abusive Head Trauma (shaken baby) and how it can happen.
Recognise Abusive Head Trauma is a form of child abuse.
Share the message that crying in babies is normal.
Support parents/carers to soothe their baby.
Support parents to cope with a baby’s crying.

How to Book:

All dates are listed on the BHSP Multi-Agency Training page on the website and are through the Brighton & Hove Learning Zone.

Upcoming Date:

23rd August: 10:30-12:30

ICON – ICON is all about helping people who care for babies to cope with crying:

ICON stands for ….

I Infant crying is normal.

C Comforting methods can help.

O It’s OK to walk away.

N Never, ever shake a baby.

Parents can speak to someone if they need support such as their family, friends, midwife, GP or health visitor. More information and a wealth of resources are available on the ICON Cope website – www.iconcope.org

Extra information and resources can be found on the BHSCP website here : ICON – BHSCP

SUDI – STOP and THINK! Keep Your Baby Safer – Advice for Parents and Carers

Sleeping Environment – The safest place for baby to sleep is a separate cot or Moses’ basket in the same room as the parents for the first 6 months, even during the day. Keep the sleeping environment clear of toys, cot bumpers, pillows and any products marketed for babies to sleep with. Always seek advice from their Midwife or Health Visitor. Parents should always take baby out of the car seat when they are not traveling – the position carries potential risk and may inhibit breathing.

Temperature – It is important to make sure that baby’s room is a comfortable temperature – not too hot or too cold. The chance of SUDI* is higher in babies who get too hot. Parents should try to keep the room temperature between 16 -20°C. Remembering to remove hats, blankets coats/snow suits when they move from cold environments to warm heated environments.

*SUDI – Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy

Out of Routine – If parents or carers are taking medication, have consumed alcohol, taken any substances or are away from home they shouldn’t don’t change their routine, stick to the safe sleep advice. Babies are at greater risk when any of these things have changed from the normal routine.

Out of routine: A review of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) in families where the children are considered at risk of significant harm (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Position – Always put baby on their back for every sleep, day and night, as the chance of SUDI is particularly high for babies who are sometimes placed on their front or side. Every Sleep Must be a Safer Sleep!

#EverySleepMustBeASaferSleep

For more information and Safer Sleep advice contact The Lullaby Trust – Safer sleep for babies, Support for families

More information can be found on the BHSCP website here: Safer Sleep and SUDI (Sudden Unexplained Death in Infants) – BHSCP