Question

Which statement made by a mother being discharged to home with her newborn infant indicates that she understands the discharge teaching related to best sleep practices? A. "I'll give the baby a bottle to help her fall asleep." B. "We'll place the baby on her back to sleep." C. "We put the baby's stuffed animals in the crib to make her feel safe." D. "I know the baby will not need to be fed until morning."

Short answer

The mother's understanding of the discharge teaching related to best sleep practices is indicated by Statement B: 'We'll place the baby on her back to sleep.'

Step-by-step solution

Identify Safe Sleep Practices

The first step is to identify the practices recommended for safe sleep in newborns. According to experts such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the best practices include placing babies on their backs to sleep, keeping the sleep environment clear of loose bedding or soft objects, such as stuffed animals, and avoiding reliance on bottle-feeding to induce sleep as it could pose a risk for choking or developing cavities.

Evaluate the Given Statements

With the safe sleep practices in mind, evaluate each of the mother's statements provided in the options. Statement A (giving a bottle) is not recommended as it may pose a risk. Statement C (placing stuffed animals in the crib) is not advised as it can increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) due to suffocation hazards. Statement D (not feeding until morning) is incorrect as newborns typically need to be fed every few hours, including during the night.

Select the Correct Statement

Out of the provided options, the only statement that aligns with safe sleep practices for newborns is Statement B, which is to place the baby on her back to sleep. This position has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of SIDS.

Key concepts

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Understanding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), often referred to as 'crib death', is crucial for new parents. This tragic event occurs when an otherwise healthy baby, less than a year old, passes away during sleep without any obvious cause.

Research suggests there are several measures that can decrease the risk of SIDS. An essential preventative step is creating a safe sleeping environment, one that involves placing the baby on their back, which leads to a significantly lower risk of SIDS. Other steps include steering clear of soft bedding and ensuring the crib is free from toys, pillows, and loose blankets that could obstruct the baby's breathing.

Back to Sleep Position

The back to sleep position has been promoted by various health organizations as the safest sleep position for infants. Simply put, parents should always place their baby on the back for every sleep, during naps and at night time. This advice is part of the Back to Sleep campaign, which has contributed to a substantial decrease in SIDS rates.

The reason behind this recommendation is that sleeping on the back prevents the baby from suffocating, as it ensures the airway remains unobstructed. In contrast, the stomach and side-sleeping positions can increase the risk of SIDS.

Newborn Feeding Schedule

Developing an appropriate newborn feeding schedule is another key component in ensuring the well-being and safety of an infant. Newborns typically require feeding every two to three hours, including throughout the night. This regular feeding schedule is crucial because their small stomachs can only hold a small amount of milk at a time.

Parents are often encouraged to feed on demand, meaning that they feed the baby whenever signs of hunger are shown, rather than adhering strictly to the clock. These signs may include stirring, mouth opening, or turning their head towards the breast or bottle, and crying as a late indicator of hunger.

Safe Infant Sleeping Environment

Providing a safe sleeping environment is paramount to reducing the risk of SIDS and ensuring the infant's safety. A safe sleep space is characterized by a firm and flat sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib. The crib should be free of pillows, soft toys, bumpers, and loose bedding.

Additionally, the sleep area should be in the same room as the parents' bed, but the baby should not share a bed with others. It's also important to avoid exposing the infant to smoke, overbundling, or allowing the baby to overheat during sleep. These measures can help prevent SIDS and provide a secure sleeping environment for the infant.