Plunket proud to support national Safe Sleep Day initiative

4 December 2015

Plunket proud to support national Safe Sleep Day initiative for whānau

New Zealand’s Safe Sleep Day is happening this Friday 4 December with events taking place across the country. The day is an initiative by Whakawhetū National SUDI Prevention for Māori.

Plunket’s National Advisor for Māori Health, Zoe Tipa, says Safe Sleep Day is a national campaign focused on promoting safe sleep practices for babies, so that every sleep is a safe sleep.

“Every year in New Zealand, more than 30 babies die from Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI – which includes SIDS or cot death). It’s the main preventable reason for death in children under the age of one, and the rates for Māori babies account for over two thirds of SUDI deaths in New Zealand.

“There’s great awareness out there about the dangers of things like smoking – those messages are everywhere. Babies spend a lot of time sleeping so it’s really important that parents and whānau are just as aware of the things they can do to help reduce the risks of SUDI.

“Ensuring every baby has a safe sleep, every time they sleep, will dramatically reduce the number of SUDI cases in New Zealand”.

For more information about Safe Sleep Day events in your area visit www.safesleepday.org.nz

How you can help to protect your baby

All babies in all cultures, and at all times, need these conditions to protect them from SUDI (including SIDS and cot death):

· Ensure your baby sleeps in their own bed for every sleep (a cot, bassinette, wahakura or pepipod), this is especially important if your baby was premature, born small or your family is not smoke free.

· Put your baby to sleep on their back with their face up. Baby’s breathing works best in this position.

Ensure your baby’s face is clear of pillows, bedding and toys. Don’t put baby down on soft surfaces such as a beanbag or couch where they can roll into a gap or ‘pocket’ and suffocate.
Ensure there are no gaps between the mattress and their bed.
Remove any ribbons, strings, cords etc from bedding and clothing. Make sure the baby’s bed (cot, bassinette, wahakura or pepipod) is away from windows, curtains and blind cords to avoid strangulation.
Sleep baby in your room (the room that the parent/caregiver also sleeps) for the first 6 months.
Ensure baby sleeps alone in their own bed at every sleep – not in bed with another adult or child.
You and your baby need to be smokefree during pregnancy and after baby is born. Also make sure friends and family/whānau don’t smoke around baby.
Breastfeed your baby – this is the best food for your baby.
Ensure every sleep is a safe sleep.
– ENDS –

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