Nurse’s Role in Reducing the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Creating a Safe Sleep Environment

Abstract

A safe sleep environment is important in reducing sleep-related infant mortality. Sudden Infant Death syndrome is defined as a sudden and unexpected death of a baby under one year old during sleep. Safe sleep environments should be established to reduce and remove risk factors for Sudden Infant Death syndrome. Risk factors include a supine position while the baby is sleeping on a soft bed and presence of soft objects in the baby’s sleep environment. Thus, nurses and health professionals should provide education and counselling to parents on relevant risk factors to prevent Sudden Infant Death syndrome.

Keywords

• safe sleep
• sudden infant death syndrome
• nurse’s role