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- Safe Sleeping brochure
- Safe Sleeping poster
- Tummy Time brochure
- Tummy Time poster
- Safe Wrapping brochure
- Safe Wrapping poster
- Safe Sleeping door hanger
- A free iPhone app
- Button batteries: A little known risk
- The Battery Controlled – Button battery safety poster
- The Battery Controlled – Button battery safety fact card
- The Battery Controlled – Button battery safety
SIDS and Kids is helping to educate parents on how to sleep a baby safely by launching a new suite of education materials at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney today.
The new ‘Sleep Safe, My Baby’ suite is a guide to sleeping a baby safely and reducing the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy.
The suite also includes information on tummy play, as well as posters, a door hanger and a free iPhone app downloadable from iTunes.
The suite contains six Safe Sleeping messages:
1. Sleep baby on the back from birth, not on the tummy or side
2. Sleep baby with head and face uncovered
3. Keep baby smoke free before birth and after
4. Provide a safe sleeping environment
5. Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping place in the same room as an adult care-giver for the first six to twelve months
6. Breastfeed baby if you can
SIDS and Kids has been instrumental in achieving an 80 per cent reduction in deaths attributed to sudden infant death syndrome in Australia.
The complete information suite comprises:
These are now available to download as PDFs from our Safe Sleeping page here. The iPhone app will be available soon.
The materials will also be available from SIDS and Kids offices in every state and territory from 21 May.
Want to find out more about how to sleep your baby safely? Visit our Safe Sleeping page here or call 1300 308 307.
SIDS and Kids today announced revised guidelines to reduce the risk of sudden and unexpected infant death, including a new recommendation – ‘breastfeed baby if you can’.
According to research, breastfeeding babies more than halves the chances of a baby dying suddenly and unexpectedly.1
Author of the review and safe sleeping expert, Adjunct Professor Jeanine Young, says consistent findings of studies conducted over the past 15 years show that along with maternal and infant health benefits, breastfeeding helps reduce the risk of sudden and unexpected infant death, including SIDS.
“We have now reached a point where conclusive evidence from numerous studies demonstrates breast milk can reduce sudden and unexpected death in infancy,” she says.
“An analysis of the results of eighteen studies show that the risk of sudden and unexpected infant death is significantly reduced for mothers who exclusively breastfeed and for a longer duration of breastfeeding,” Professor Young said.
While the link between breastfeeding and sudden and unexpected infant death is confirmed, Professor Young emphasises it is one of six key recommendations.
“Other contributing factors like not smoking near babies and sleeping babies on their back are equally important ways to significantly reduce the risk,” she said.
SIDS and Kids CEO Leanne Raven believes it is important for parents to be provided with clear information to help guide the infant care practices they use.
“The launch of Sleep Safe, My Baby campaign is simply to present the Australian community with the best possible information to reduce sudden and unexpected infant death,” Ms Raven said.
The revised guidelines have been announced ahead of the upcoming 25th anniversary of Red Nose Day, the flagship fundraiser for SIDS and Kids. Red Nose Day is on Friday 29 June.
SIDS and Kids is an Australian community-based organisation dedicated to saving the lives of babies and children during pregnancy, birth, infancy and childhood and to supporting bereaved families.
The six ways to sleep baby safely and reduce the risk of sudden and unexpected death in infancy:
1.Sleep baby on the back from birth, not on the tummy or side
2.Sleep baby with head and face uncovered
3.Keep baby smoke free before birth and after
4.Provide a safe sleeping environment night and day
5.Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping place in the same room as an adult care-giver for the first six to twelve months
6.Breastfeed baby if you can.
For all media enquiries or interviews, please contact:
Julia Lee, Haystac (P) 03 9693 2268, (M) 0421 396 570 (E) julia.lee@haystac.com.au
Georgia Brumby, Haystac (P) 03 9693 6530, (M) 0401 097 176 (E) georgia.brumby@haystac.com.au
The SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping Frequently Asked Questions has been updated with guidance on the use of bean bags:
Is it safe to sleep baby on a baby bean bag?
No. A bean bag, defined as a material sack encasing a large quantity of polystyrene foam beads that is usually a pyramid-shaped sack used for seating, poses a suffocation risk to babies and small children if they inhale the beads. Bean bags and other household products containing polystyrene foam beads such as baby bean bag beds are required under a mandatory standard to have a child-resistant slide fastener and carry the warning
“WARNING: Small Lightweight Beads Present a Severe Danger to Children if Swallowed or Inhaled.”
Unfortunately, bean bag products, including those designed specifically for babies, have been available to consumers in Australia. As recently as late 2011 there have been bean bag products that do not comply with the mandatory standard recalled in Australia.
Concern has been raised about the potential of some bean bags being capable of contouring around a baby’s face, resulting in a risk of suffocation.
The Queensland government is presently considering a mandatory warning label on all bean bags which will state:
“Bean bags are not suitable for children less than 12 months of age to sleep or nap in as they are a suffocation hazard.”
Furthermore, researchers have studied incidences where babies have been placed to sleep on bean bags or similar polystyrene bead-filled cushions or seats for their last sleep before dying suddenly and unexpectedly. The researchers concluded that bean bags should not be used as they are dangerous for young children.
For more information visit the bean bag page of the Australian government product safety website at http://goo.gl/117je.
The full Safe Sleeping FAQ can be downloaded at http://www.sidsandkids.org/safe-sleeping/faqs/.
With the recent press regarding use of amber teething necklaces, it is a good time to remind parents of the dangers posed by these products.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, David Bradbury recently issued a warning notice to the public in relation to amber teething necklaces.
Amber teething necklaces and bracelets consist of amber beads which are a fossilised tree resin and range in colour from yellow to white and beige to brown.
The warning notice was issued after ACCC testing of several of these products indicated that they could break into small parts and present a choking hazard to children under three years of age.
Suppliers claim that when worn close to the skin, succinic acid will be released by the amber beads to relieve the symptoms of teething. Some suppliers also make claims for other conditions including eczema and asthma.
Consumers using this product are advised to:
- always supervise the infant when wearing the necklace or bracelet
- remove the necklace or bracelet when the infant is unattended, even if it is onlyfor a short period of time
- remove the necklace or bracelet while the infant sleeps at day or night not allow the infant to mouth
or chew the necklace or bracelet
- consider using alternate forms of pain relief
- seek medical advice if you have concerns about your child’s health and wellbeing.
To view the warning notice click here.
Button batteries found in remote controls and other household electronic devices are a severe and little known risk for young children, a joint campaign by Energizer, Kidsafe, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has warned.
For information and resources on risks to babies and children follow the links below:
An ebook on baby sleep is available from the Huggies website. To download the free Sleeping and Settling ebook go to http://www.huggies.com.au/parenting/ebooks.
Published in the latest edition of Cosmo Pregnancy is an article on Baby Slings Do’s and Don’ts. It’s recommended reading for anyone currently using a baby sling or considering the purchase of a baby sling.
For more information on Safe Sleeping visit click here or call SIDS and Kids in your area on 1300 308 307 for more information.
Download here Cosmo Pregnancy Are Baby Slings Safe
Parents are being warned not to purchase a type of child car restraint being sold online that appears to breach Australia’s mandatory safety standards, said Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, David Bradbury.
The products, sold through some online retailers, are marketed under various names, including ‘Baby Car Seat Pouch’, ‘Portable belt baby car safety seat for 1-5 years old’ and ‘Portable baby car safety seat for 20-40 lbs’, pose potential safety hazards and are likely to fail to protect children adequately in an accident.
An official consumer safety warning notice has been issued and can be found at www.productsafety.gov.au.
“Parents are warned against buying these unsafe children’s car restraints and should stop using them immediately if they have already purchased them,” said Mr Bradbury.
“The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) discovered these unsafe restraints on some online retailing sites and has already worked with a number of these retailers to have them removed from sale to the Australian region.
“While suppliers claim the products are safe for use as baby car seats, the products do not appear to have been supplied with an upper tether strap and a minimum five point harness system, as required by the mandatory standard for child restraint systems for use in motor vehicles.
“The restraints look to be made only of padded material and do not appear to provide any side impact protection. They are also marketed to be used in the front seat of a vehicle, which is contrary to Australian road rules.
“A mandatory safety standard applies to vehicle child restraints. Anyone selling these child restraints in Australia must ensure they meet the standard.
“The ACCC is continuing its investigation as to the potential safety hazards associated with these products.
“While some consumers may prefer shopping online to access lower prices and greater product diversity, I would encourage people to remain vigilant about product safety when buying products online, particularly when buying products for use by children.”
If you are using these products, you should cease using them immediately and contact the ACCC via www.productsafety.gov.au or 1300 302 502.
The ACCC’s Keeping baby safe booklet, includes information on hazards and safety tips for child restraints. The booklet and videos are available online at www.productsafety.gov.au/keepingbabysafe.
WHEN you meet Wiremu Rennie it’s easy to see why his nickname is Wiz.
In between studying outdoor education at Bendigo’s La Trobe University, working as a swimming instructor and volunteering with several community groups, including the YMCA and CFA, Wiz has found time to organise a charity bike ride to raise money for SIDS and Kids.
“When I was a kid I used to run around a lot and my parents called me The Wizzer, over the years that got shortened to The Wiz and then just Wiz,” Wiz laughed.
It seems none of that enthusiasm has been dampened in his older years.
On Saturday, Wiz plans to leave Sydney on his trusty bicycle and travel all the way back home, arriving in Bendigo 15 days later.
“It’s just over 1300 kilometres because I can’t travel on the highways,” he said.
Not bad for a young man who’s never done a long-distance ride before.
Wiz, 21, said he was inspired to raise money for SIDS, a charity which aims to save babies from sudden infant death syndrome, because of his own battle with illness.
At six weeks old Wiz was diagnosed with sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterised by abnormal pauses in breathing or instances of abnormally low breathing.
“I was at the GP’s for my six-week check up and when my mum and dad carried me in I wasn’t breathing, and the GP had to resuscitate me,” he said. “I wouldn’t be alive without SIDS.
“SIDS donated a monitor to my parents so I slept with that. If I stopped breathing the alarm went off. So I’m really lucky to be alive, and part of the reason of why I am doing the ride is to show that I am still here.”
Sleep apnea is a life-long condition with no cure.
Wiz has grown out of it somewhat, but he said he was keen to raise awareness about the condition as it is a big contributor to cot death.
“I want to make parents aware of what’s happening,” he said
Wiz has already had a lot of support from the Y Service Club of Eaglehawk and a Bendigo bicycle shop which provided his road bike at half price. He said his main aim was to increase awareness but he also wanted to raise money to help SIDS with its research and support of families.
“I will dye my hair SIDS red if donations reach $500 before I go,” he said, laying the challenge down to his supporters.
To make a donation, visit www.everydayhero.com.au/wizrides.
Blinged-up babies via the Internet
For the baby with everything, there’s a bling dummy encrusted with “genuine Swarovski crystals”.
They’re mostly standard dummies and chains from major brands which have been decorated after-market by small businesses. No doubt many well-meaning friends and relatives bought them for little Taylah or Kaydee, not realising they were veritable minefield of questionable safety – and good taste, but that’s another story.
Concerned that the small decorative crystals might detach and become a choking hazard, the ACCC had some tested against the certain clauses of the dummy standard to see if the decorative crystals could come off under reasonable force (compression, bite and impact tests). They did.
These crystals not only constitute a choking hazard but would also be a hazard if eaten.
The ACCC duly banned them, though they’re still available online.
Most of these suppliers have a warning on their sites that the dummies are only novelty and not for actual use as a pacifier. Some companies don’t even acknowledge they’re dummies – packages we received from overseas described them as ‘hair bows’ and ‘jewellery’ on the customs label. Yeah, baby, they’re shonkadelic!
For more information on infant safe sleeping visit www.sidsandkids.org