Unsafe Despite the Culture of Safety: Sleep Environments of Hospitalized Infants

Background: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the third leading cause of death among children 0-12 months. The AAP recommends sleeping supine on a firm surface, breastfeeding, offering a pacifier, avoidance of bed-sharing, eliminating soft objects from the bed or under the infant, prevention of overheating, and avoidance of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs to decrease the risk of SIDS. Infant sleep environments should prioritize the ABCs: Alone, on the Back, and in an empty Crib. Objectives: To analyze the sleep practices of infants admitted to Lurie Children’s …