Selected Podcast
Keeping Your Baby Safe While They Sleep
Susan Brackbill, RN discusses safe sleep for newborns and how to keep them safe while they sleep.
Featuring:
Susan Brackbill, MPH, RNC-NIC
Susan Brackbill, MPH, RNC-NIC is Program manager at UPMC Pinnacle Nurse Family Partnership (NFP). I have been at Pinnacle since 1989. NFP is a national, evidence-based, grant-funded program that serves first-time mothers early in pregnancy through child's second birthday, providing education and support to moms and families. Our goal is client self-efficacy by time of graduation at child's second birthday. We serve a 5 county area: Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lebanon and Perry Counties. Additionally, I am adjunct faculty at Millersville University, teaching in the RN-BSN program. Transcription:
Bill Klaproth: In recognition of sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS awareness month, let's talk about safe, sleep for newborns and how to keep them safe while they sleep. With us to discuss safe sleep practices for infants is Susan Brackbill, Program Manager, UPMC Nurse Family Partnership and Cribs for kids. This is Healthier You, a podcast from UPMC Pinnacle. I'm Bill Klaproth, Susan, thank you so much for your time. It is great to talk with you. So first off, what does safe sleep mean? What is safe Sleep?
Susan Brackbill: Safe sleep implies exactly what it sounds like. Safe sleep. You want your baby to be sleeping in the safest environment possible. So you're eliminating all the extra factors that could make a sleep surface unsafe for your baby. So your baby should be alone on his or her back in a separate sleep surface, like a crib or a pack and play.
Host: So, you're saying no fuzzy furry animals, no little play toys, no blankets. You're talking clean mattress, baby. And that's it?
Susan Brackbill: Exactly. You said it perfectly. You don't want to have all those things are risk factors for it to impact the baby's breathing that could cause the baby to suffocate. So the baby should be on her back in that crib alone with nothing else in it, except for the Crip sheet and a sleep sack. We're coming into the winter months. Houses get cooler, that sort of thing. The baby is comfortable in one more layer than what you and I are comfortable in. Like so a sleep sack for the babies contained blankets. That way, you know, having a loose blanket, that way nothing is loose in the crib.
Host: So, you mentioned a sleep sack. What is that? And then what are the steps to safe sleep?
Susan Brackbill: Thank you for asking that the steps to safe sleep are really, we use the acronym, ABC, alone, back, crib. The sleep sack is a way to keep the baby, help them monitor or maintain their body temperature. You and I sleep with blankets and big fluffy comforters over top of us that could suffocate a baby. So the sleep sack acts as that body hugging blanket, if you will, that makes it safer for the baby. The baby's warm and yet it's not loose that it would interfere with the baby's ability to breathe naturally.
Host: Okay. So the ABC, so alone, back, so baby should be on his or her back and then crib, not in between mom and dad, not on a couch or something, is that right?
Susan Brackbill: Exactly. And I'm so glad you asked about a couch. Couches are very dangerous couches and recliners, very dangerous places to fall asleep with your baby. So if you are feeding your baby at that nighttime feeding, and you're really tired, don't sit on the couch or the recliner, sit your bed, feed your baby, remove all those like the cushy comforter, the big fluffy pillows remove all that stuff, so that if you do fall asleep with your baby, the second you wake up, the baby is not around those big fluffy comforters and quilts and heavy pillows. The second you wake up, you place the baby back in that pack and play or bassinet or crib that's right beside your bed.
Host: So why is it important for all of us to know these steps?
Susan Brackbill: Well, they're important because so years ago I was put to sleep on my belly. I put my son to sleep on his belly. Cause that's what we knew. Now we know there's a greater risk for death. If babies are sleeping on their bellies, they're actually more likely to suffocate or choke when they spit up on their bellies than they do on their backs. So on their backs is safer and alone is safer because then you're not interfering like your arm or if mom's breastfeeding and you fall asleep. And the breast interferes with the baby's ability to breathe or an arm or those pillows and big quilts are not interfering with that Baby's breathing. That said, the baby should be in your bedroom so you can co-sleep. In other words, you room share would be a better way to say it. You room share, but not bed share.
Host: Room share, but not bed share. And it's a great phrase that we all should remember. So you were mentioning, the problem is, is these things interfere with the baby's breathing, is that how babies die from unsafe sleep practices?
Susan Brackbill: There are, as you mentioned, the suffocation and the entrapment or the strangulation, if something gets wrapped around the baby and you don't think that's going to happen to you and you think, Oh, it's not possible that the baby would get wrapped around my bathroom belt or whatever, but crazier things have happened. And we know this because all baby deaths are reviewed by a County based death review team. And these deaths are 100% preventable. Babies still can die from causes that we don't know. And that's what sudden infant death syndrome is. So sudden infant death syndrome should not be interchanged with sleep related deaths because sudden infant death syndrome, we don't always know the causes, but sleep related deaths can be prevented by practicing the ABCs of safe sleep if you will.
Host: Right. And that's what we want to promote. So podcasts like this are helping spread the word. How else can we promote safe sleep? Are there programs in place to support families with education and resources?
Susan Brackbill: There are. And here at UPMC Pinnacle for the cribs for kids program, that's a national evidence-based program based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania provides and partners with healthcare agencies across the country, to provide the education and the tools to engage in safe, sleep such as giving a pack and play and a crib sheet. And the education. Here at UPMC Pinnacle, we are one of the many partners in that cribs for kids national program. So here at UPMC Pinnacle, any place that delivers babies and our UPMC facilities can get you involved with this pack and play or the cribs for kids program that can get you a pack and play and the safe sleep education.
Host: All right. That makes a lot of sense. And then who do we promote safe sleep to? Who needs to know this?
Susan Brackbill: Everybody because of the bottom line is you might step out. Maybe you go to the store to go to the Giant, to get food, or you're going on a date night and your grandmother is watching your baby or your aunt or the baby's aunt and other people's knowledge might not be what yours is because you've just had the education on safe sleep. And because people were raised in times of, we slept our babies on their bellies and they were fine. That's not always the case. And so you want to tell everyone who might be involved with the care of your child. And so grandparents, aunts, uncles, your own children, tell them about it because they can also help call other people out. Or you, if you forget daycare agencies, check your daycares, just because it's a daycare agency does not mean they practice safe, sleep, you want to ask that question?
Host: Yeah, absolutely. So then how do I tell my extended family about safe sleep and its importance?
Susan Brackbill: So just basically tell them, you could even hand them the brochure that you are given when you're in the hospital and say, these are the ABCs of safe sleep. I am now the parent, this is my shot at raising a child. And I would like you to also help me raise my child in the safest way possible and to support me and my partner in this endeavor of safe sleeping our baby.
Host: This is such an important topic. And I love that. We're talking about this, Susan, thank you so much for all of this great information today. This is really very helpful, and I know that we're going to save some lives because of it. Susan, thank you again. We appreciate it.
Susan Brackbill: You are welcome.
Host: That is Susan Brackbill, and to find out more, please visit UPMCpinnacle.com/safesleep. And UPMC Pinnacle is a Cribs for Kids partner providing a program to educate parents, family members, childcare providers, and healthcare professionals about safe infant sleep. This is a preventative program that seeks to reduce infant mortality by educating families on sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS and safe sleeping locations and positions for their infants. UPMC Pinnacles Cribs for Kids will ensure infants have a safe place to sleep by providing eligible low-income parents who have no other way to afford a crib with a free Greco pack and play style crib. This is a Healthier You, a podcast from UPMC Pinnacle. Thanks for listening.
Bill Klaproth: In recognition of sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS awareness month, let's talk about safe, sleep for newborns and how to keep them safe while they sleep. With us to discuss safe sleep practices for infants is Susan Brackbill, Program Manager, UPMC Nurse Family Partnership and Cribs for kids. This is Healthier You, a podcast from UPMC Pinnacle. I'm Bill Klaproth, Susan, thank you so much for your time. It is great to talk with you. So first off, what does safe sleep mean? What is safe Sleep?
Susan Brackbill: Safe sleep implies exactly what it sounds like. Safe sleep. You want your baby to be sleeping in the safest environment possible. So you're eliminating all the extra factors that could make a sleep surface unsafe for your baby. So your baby should be alone on his or her back in a separate sleep surface, like a crib or a pack and play.
Host: So, you're saying no fuzzy furry animals, no little play toys, no blankets. You're talking clean mattress, baby. And that's it?
Susan Brackbill: Exactly. You said it perfectly. You don't want to have all those things are risk factors for it to impact the baby's breathing that could cause the baby to suffocate. So the baby should be on her back in that crib alone with nothing else in it, except for the Crip sheet and a sleep sack. We're coming into the winter months. Houses get cooler, that sort of thing. The baby is comfortable in one more layer than what you and I are comfortable in. Like so a sleep sack for the babies contained blankets. That way, you know, having a loose blanket, that way nothing is loose in the crib.
Host: So, you mentioned a sleep sack. What is that? And then what are the steps to safe sleep?
Susan Brackbill: Thank you for asking that the steps to safe sleep are really, we use the acronym, ABC, alone, back, crib. The sleep sack is a way to keep the baby, help them monitor or maintain their body temperature. You and I sleep with blankets and big fluffy comforters over top of us that could suffocate a baby. So the sleep sack acts as that body hugging blanket, if you will, that makes it safer for the baby. The baby's warm and yet it's not loose that it would interfere with the baby's ability to breathe naturally.
Host: Okay. So the ABC, so alone, back, so baby should be on his or her back and then crib, not in between mom and dad, not on a couch or something, is that right?
Susan Brackbill: Exactly. And I'm so glad you asked about a couch. Couches are very dangerous couches and recliners, very dangerous places to fall asleep with your baby. So if you are feeding your baby at that nighttime feeding, and you're really tired, don't sit on the couch or the recliner, sit your bed, feed your baby, remove all those like the cushy comforter, the big fluffy pillows remove all that stuff, so that if you do fall asleep with your baby, the second you wake up, the baby is not around those big fluffy comforters and quilts and heavy pillows. The second you wake up, you place the baby back in that pack and play or bassinet or crib that's right beside your bed.
Host: So why is it important for all of us to know these steps?
Susan Brackbill: Well, they're important because so years ago I was put to sleep on my belly. I put my son to sleep on his belly. Cause that's what we knew. Now we know there's a greater risk for death. If babies are sleeping on their bellies, they're actually more likely to suffocate or choke when they spit up on their bellies than they do on their backs. So on their backs is safer and alone is safer because then you're not interfering like your arm or if mom's breastfeeding and you fall asleep. And the breast interferes with the baby's ability to breathe or an arm or those pillows and big quilts are not interfering with that Baby's breathing. That said, the baby should be in your bedroom so you can co-sleep. In other words, you room share would be a better way to say it. You room share, but not bed share.
Host: Room share, but not bed share. And it's a great phrase that we all should remember. So you were mentioning, the problem is, is these things interfere with the baby's breathing, is that how babies die from unsafe sleep practices?
Susan Brackbill: There are, as you mentioned, the suffocation and the entrapment or the strangulation, if something gets wrapped around the baby and you don't think that's going to happen to you and you think, Oh, it's not possible that the baby would get wrapped around my bathroom belt or whatever, but crazier things have happened. And we know this because all baby deaths are reviewed by a County based death review team. And these deaths are 100% preventable. Babies still can die from causes that we don't know. And that's what sudden infant death syndrome is. So sudden infant death syndrome should not be interchanged with sleep related deaths because sudden infant death syndrome, we don't always know the causes, but sleep related deaths can be prevented by practicing the ABCs of safe sleep if you will.
Host: Right. And that's what we want to promote. So podcasts like this are helping spread the word. How else can we promote safe sleep? Are there programs in place to support families with education and resources?
Susan Brackbill: There are. And here at UPMC Pinnacle for the cribs for kids program, that's a national evidence-based program based out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania provides and partners with healthcare agencies across the country, to provide the education and the tools to engage in safe, sleep such as giving a pack and play and a crib sheet. And the education. Here at UPMC Pinnacle, we are one of the many partners in that cribs for kids national program. So here at UPMC Pinnacle, any place that delivers babies and our UPMC facilities can get you involved with this pack and play or the cribs for kids program that can get you a pack and play and the safe sleep education.
Host: All right. That makes a lot of sense. And then who do we promote safe sleep to? Who needs to know this?
Susan Brackbill: Everybody because of the bottom line is you might step out. Maybe you go to the store to go to the Giant, to get food, or you're going on a date night and your grandmother is watching your baby or your aunt or the baby's aunt and other people's knowledge might not be what yours is because you've just had the education on safe sleep. And because people were raised in times of, we slept our babies on their bellies and they were fine. That's not always the case. And so you want to tell everyone who might be involved with the care of your child. And so grandparents, aunts, uncles, your own children, tell them about it because they can also help call other people out. Or you, if you forget daycare agencies, check your daycares, just because it's a daycare agency does not mean they practice safe, sleep, you want to ask that question?
Host: Yeah, absolutely. So then how do I tell my extended family about safe sleep and its importance?
Susan Brackbill: So just basically tell them, you could even hand them the brochure that you are given when you're in the hospital and say, these are the ABCs of safe sleep. I am now the parent, this is my shot at raising a child. And I would like you to also help me raise my child in the safest way possible and to support me and my partner in this endeavor of safe sleeping our baby.
Host: This is such an important topic. And I love that. We're talking about this, Susan, thank you so much for all of this great information today. This is really very helpful, and I know that we're going to save some lives because of it. Susan, thank you again. We appreciate it.
Susan Brackbill: You are welcome.
Host: That is Susan Brackbill, and to find out more, please visit UPMCpinnacle.com/safesleep. And UPMC Pinnacle is a Cribs for Kids partner providing a program to educate parents, family members, childcare providers, and healthcare professionals about safe infant sleep. This is a preventative program that seeks to reduce infant mortality by educating families on sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS and safe sleeping locations and positions for their infants. UPMC Pinnacles Cribs for Kids will ensure infants have a safe place to sleep by providing eligible low-income parents who have no other way to afford a crib with a free Greco pack and play style crib. This is a Healthier You, a podcast from UPMC Pinnacle. Thanks for listening.