Plunket welcomes new safe sleep resources

Media Release
12 October 2009
For immediate release

Plunket welcomes new safe sleep resources

Plunket has welcomed the release of new educational safe sleep materials, which underline some of the key messages in the prevention of sudden unexplained death in infancy (SUDI).

The materials have been produced by Change for Our Children, a Christchurch-based provider of health-funded education services, and endorsed by organisations including Plunket.

Plunket clinical advisor Helen Connors says the resources send clear messages to caregivers about what is vital in protecting the life of a baby – exactly what is needed.

“All of those involved in the care of a baby, whether directly or indirectly, need clear, consistent messages and those messages need to be discussed at every appropriate opportunity, to ensure that every sleep in every place is a safe sleep” she says.

“We are totally in support of the new resources, which are endorsed by a broad range of other health professionals all of whom want to save these young lives.”Carrying out a simple safe sleep check every time a baby is put to sleep wherever they are and whoever is looking after them is very important. Plunket’s aim is to enable all caregivers to do the check themselves.

The basic safety formula for safe sleep is:

- Face up (on the back)
- Clear face
- Smokefree

More vulnerable babies also need their own ‘baby bed’ (a bed designed for babies) every time they sleep.

Plunket is committed to ensuring it promotes messages consistently, updates staff to ensure all parents receive information in line with the Change for our Children material, and helping ensure every opportunity is taken to share safe sleep messages with the community.

“That’s about taking the messages a bit wider than one on one. It’s about protecting all babies in all times, places and sleeping situations. We all want to make every sleep a safe sleep,” Ms Connors says.

Times of stress or exhaustion, when parents might tend to forget the safe sleep messages, are some of the most important times for them to receive support, and for them to make safe decisions in the moment.

PlunketLine is a toll free telephone advice service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 0800 933 922.

ENDS

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