Health Professionals
What is SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping program?
The SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping campaign is an evidence based campaign aiming to reduce the rates of SIDS and fatal sleeping accidents in Australia.
The campaign was developed following the Forum to review the risk factors for SIDS, March 1987, convened by the National SIDS Council of Australia. This forum was attended by researchers, scientists, SIDS experts and pathologists from Australia and overseas.
The forum was convened to review the evidence and guidelines on how to reduce the risk factors for SIDS and fatal sleeping accidents. The end result of this forum was the highly successful SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping program.
To ensure our research in the field of sudden and unexpected death in infants remains current SIDS and Kids has formed a National Scientific Advisory Group (NSAG) which has members from across Australia. This group also consults with international experts when required.
SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping Message:
1. Sleep baby on the back from birth, not on the tummy or side
2. Sleep baby with face uncovered (no doonas, pillows, lambs wool, bumpers or soft toys)
3. Avoid exposing babies to tobacco smoke before birth and after
4. Provide a safe sleeping environment (safe cot, safe mattress, safe bedding)
5. Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping environment next to the parent’s bed for the first six to twelve months of life
Why is it important for Health Professionals to inform their patients about the program?
Health Professionals are often the first and most important point of contact for new parents. They model sleeping practices while the baby is in hospital and provide further information to parents once the baby is at home. Parents rely on Health Professionals to provide reliable information and all Health Professionals should be directing their patients to the SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping Program.
Interview…
SIDS and Kids has literature available for Health Professionals both for their own reference and to give out to their patients. This literature includes:
Literature and Support aimed at Health Professionals
Reducing the Risk of SIDS (Scientific Literature). This booklet provides the evidence behind the SIDS and Kids guidelines.
A series of information statements covering a range of topics including breast feeding, baby monitoring, pacifier/dummy use, plagiocephaly (baby’s head shape), room sharing, room temperature, second hand mattress, sleeping with baby, smoking, toxic gas theory and wrapping infants. Information Statements can be downloaded in PDF format by accessing your topic of interest from the links below:
SIDS and Kids and Queensland Health have a partnership whereby we are able to share safe sleeping resources that have been developed by the Chairperson of the SIDS and Kids National Scientific Advisory Group Professor (Adj) Jeanine Young. Queensland Health’s Professor Young was the author of Safe Infant Care Policy Statement and Guidelines and SIDS and Kids is very grateful for her support.
To access the resources in PDF format click on the links below:
Safe Infant Sleeping Policy Statement and Guidelines.pdf
Safe Sleeping Brochure for Health Professionals.pdf
Head Shape Brochure for Health Professionals.pdf
Supine is Safest Poster for Health Professional 2009.pdf
TummyTime_Poster for Health Professionals.pdf
Wrapping Poster for Health Professionals.pdf
Safe Sleeping Literature and Support available for Health Professionals, Carers and New and Expectant Mothers
Safe Sleeping Literature and Support information can be downloaded from the links below:
Taking Care of your Baby.pdf An Aboriginal Resource from the Northern Territory
Keeping Baby Safe : a guide to nursery furniture by the Australian Government
This booklet is an Australian Government publication providing information to help you make sure your child’s nursery is a safe place. The brochure is available in English and Arabic and is only available to download from the Australian Competition and Consumer website.
Keeping Baby Safe – Arabic
For further information contact SIDS and Kids in your State or Territory on 1300 308 307.
ASK Online
What is ASK Online?
ASK Online is an extensive library catalogue of research papers complied by SIDS and Kids since it was established in the late 1970’s.
The library catalogue is extensive with over forty major topics including co-sleeping, bereavement, epidemiology, smoking, stillbirth, sleeping positions, sudden infant death and grief.
The collection contains scientific articles, research reports, conference abstracts, bibliographies, newsletter articles, book chapters and media releases.
How do I access ASK Online?
Contact our Librarian on:
Email: librarian@sidsandkids.org
Telephone: +61 (03) 9819 4595
Fax: +61 (03) 9819 4596
A search on your topic of interest will be performed on your behalf.
ASK Online includes all manner of published literature. SIDS and Kids does not necessarily agree with the theories, conclusions, advice or other contents of the Catalogue and accepts no responsibility for how searchers understand or make use of the information.
To talk with a SIDS and Kids Health Professional or to order Safe Sleeping information and resources contact SIDS and kids in your State or Territory on 1300 307 308.
ANZSA Clinical Practice Guideline | Management of Women who report Decreased Fetal Movement
The ANZSA Clinical Practice Guideline for the management of women who report decreased fetal movement was recently endorsed by SIDS and Kids. A collaborative process was adopted in the development of the guideline which will ensure it is of the utmost relevance and usefulness to clinicians.
To download a PDF copy click on the link DFM Guideline Edition 1 – Version 1 March 2010.pdf