Providing NZ Mums with tools and knowledge

MEDIA RELEASE: Friday 02 December 2016

Providing NZ Mums with the tools and knowledge help save NZ babies from SUDI

Hāpai Te Hauora celebrate Safe Sleep Day - Te Rā Mokopuna Ora on Friday 02 December in recognition of the urgent need to address safe sleep for NZ babies. Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) can be a terrifying topic for new parents to think about. Sadly each year in New Zealand 60 to 70 babies die suddenly when they sleep. Most of these can be prevented. It is important to understand the facts and know what you can do to help protect your baby.

As the National voice of Tobacco Control Advocacy, Hāpai urge families and whānau to support more Smokefree environments that surround new babies and their mums. There is overwhelming evidence that shows eliminating smoking is a major protective factor against SUDI, being Smokefree helps baby’s breathing and keeps both baby and mother well. NZ babies need protection so Hāpai encourage and support Smokefree mums, whānau (family), whare (homes) and waka (cars).

Māori babies are five times more likely to die of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy than non-Māori babies, but less than half of Māori families are being given the safe sleep advice, University of Auckland researchers found. "Research with Māori and Pakeha GPs shows some Pakeha GPs find it harder to communicate with Māori patients and Māori are less comfortable, trusting and forthcoming in their interactions with Pakeha GPs," a report by Carla Houkamau found.

More effective solutions have been found in Auckland communities that have shown high success rates in engaging with Māori mums and making a difference for NZ babies. An example of a culturally appropriate and effective solution is wahakura. Wahakura are safe sleep baskets for babies, woven from traditional Māori materials.

This is why, for Te Rā Mokopuna Ora 2016, the Hāpai Te Hauora regional public health collective consisting of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua, Raukura Hauora o Tainui and Te Whānau o Waipareira will be supporting whānau, hapū and iwi across Auckland through the provision of wahakura in several kohanga reo and a number of marae throughout the region. Through these activities whānau will also be encouraged to consider Smokefree environments and receive education and learnings about alcohol, drugs, nutrition and physical activity and gambling harm reduction. “As a regional collective we want to create leaders within our whānau, hapū and iwi to improve the opportunities for our mokopuna, we do this by providing resources and education for our whānau on safe sleeping options” states Hemi Tahuri of Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust.

Hāpai Te Hauora hopes that this will help inform our communities who are often not receiving appropriate antenatal advice and care to assist in the reduction of SUDI rates in New Zealand.

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What is SUDI?

Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) is an umbrella term that describes the death of an infant which was not anticipated as a significant possibility 24 hours before the death, or where there was a similarly unexpected collapse leading to or precipitating the events which led to the death. SUDI captures both unexplained and explained causes of death during a baby’s first year of life that is unexpected. It is made up of three components which are, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Unintentional Suffocation, and Other Deaths.

SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This is where no identifiable cause of death can be found following autopsy, clinical history, and scene examination. These babies usually die in their sleep.

Unintentional suffocation - the second component of SUDI is unintentional suffocation where baby is in a position that causes asphyxiation in their sleeping environment. Examples of this are wedging or overlay. These incidents are explained.

Other deaths - the third component of SUDI is medical deaths such as heart disease, meningitis, pneumonia or infectious diseases. Conditions at time of death remained undiagnosed until the coronial process identified the cause. These incidents are explained.

How can I help to protect my baby from SUDI?

All babies, in all cultures and at all times, need these six conditions to protect their lives as they pass through the critical first 6 months:

· My baby is smoke-free.

· If not smoke-free, my baby always sleeps in ‘a baby bed’.

· My baby sleeps on their back.

· My baby sleeps with a clear face and head.

· My baby sleeps in the same room as me when I am also asleep.

· My baby is breastfed.

Vulnerable babies

Risks may be built into the baby, the situation or the setting. The babies who will need the extra protection of their own baby bed every time and place they sleep, include:

· babies of mothers who smoked during pregnancy (baby will have a damaged ‘wake up’ response)

· babies in situations where people have been using alcohol or drugs, smoking, or are particularly tired (adults will have slowed reactions, and be less aware of babies)

· babies with a carer who is very large or on medication (may have less awareness)

· babies born prematurely, or with low birth weight (will have weakened ‘wake-up’ responses)

· babies who are put down to sleep on a couch, on an adult bed, in a makeshift setting or away from home

About Hāpai Te Hauora

Hāpai are national leaders in Public Health, Policy and Advocacy, Research and Evaluation and Infrastructure services.

Hāpai provide a strategic focus that is underpinned by evidence based research for the advancement of health and wellbeing for communities.

The Mission of Hāpai is to increase opportunities for Māori, and all others to enjoy good health and to be sustained by healthy environments.

Website: www.Hāpai.co.nz Twitter: www.twitter.com/Hāpaitehauora Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hāpaitehauora

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