Skip to main content
View expanded cover

Infant Safe Sleep pp 149–172Cite as

Use of Soft Bedding and Other Soft Surfaces

  • 353 Accesses

Abstract

Soft sleep surfaces and loose bedding have long been known to be risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) and are a particularly high-risk factor in deaths coded as accidental suffocation and strangulation (ASSB). While the use rate of supine sleeping has decreased with the safe to sleep campaign, soft bedding remains prevalent. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants sleep on a firm, flat surface with no loose bedding, pillows or bumpers; however, there are frequently barriers to adherence for each of these recommendations. In this chapter, we review the basis for each of these recommendations as well as potential barriers to adherence and strategies for helping families comply with placing infants in a safe sleep environment.

Keywords

  • Soft bedding
  • Pillows
  • Bumpers
  • Positioners
  • Infant safe sleep
  • Inclined sleepers

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-47542-0_8
  • Chapter length: 24 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-3-030-47542-0
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions
Figure 8.1
Figure 8.2
Figure 8.3
Figure 8.4
Figure 8.5

References

  1. Hauck FR, Herman SM, Donovan M, et al. Sleep environment and the risk of sudden infant death syndrome in an urban population: the Chicago Infant Mortality Study. Pediatrics. 2003;111:1207–14.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Erck Lambert AB, Parks SE, Cottengim C, Faulkner M, Hauck FR, Shapiro-Mendoza CK. Sleep-related infant suffocation deaths attributable to soft bedding, overlay, and wedging. Pediatrics. 2019;143:e20183408.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Moon RY. Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths: updated 2016 recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment. Pediatrics. 2016;138:e20162938.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  4. Bombard JM, Kortsmit K, Warner L, et al. Vital signs: trends and disparities in infant safe sleep practices – United States, 2009–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018;67:39–46.

    CrossRef  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Moon RY, Oden RP, Joyner BL, Ajao TI. Qualitative analysis of beliefs and perceptions about sudden infant death syndrome in African-American mothers: implications for safe sleep recommendations. J Pediatr. 2010;157:92–7.e2.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Mathews A, Joyner BL, Oden RP, He J, McCarter R Jr, Moon RY. Messaging affects the behavior of African American parents with regards to soft bedding in the infant sleep environment: a randomized controlled trial. J Pediatr. 2016;175:79–85.e2.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Gaw CE, Chounthirath T, Midgett J, Quinlan K, Smith GA. Types of objects in the sleep environment associated with infant suffocation and strangulation. Acad Pediatr. 2017;17:893–901.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Office of Compliance, Requirements for Full Size Baby Cribs. Bethesda, MD; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Ajao TI, Oden RP, Joyner BL, Moon RY. Decisions of black parents about infant bedding and sleep surfaces: a qualitative study. Pediatrics. 2011;128:494–502.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Rechtman LR, Colvin JD, Blair PS, Moon RY. Sofas and infant mortality. Pediatrics. 2014;134:e1293–300.

    CrossRef  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Nelson SP, Chen EH, Syniar GM, Christoffel KK. Prevalence of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux during infancy. A pediatric practice-based survey. Pediatric Practice Research Group. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1997;151:569–72.

    CAS  CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Orenstein SR, Whitington PF, Orenstein DM. The infant seat as treatment for gastroesophageal reflux. N Engl J Med. 1983;309:760–3.

    CAS  CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Mannen EM, Carroll J, Bumpass DB, et al. Biomechanical analysis of inclined sleep products. Little Rock: Univeristy of Arkansas; 2019.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Rosen R, Vandenplas Y, Singendonk M, et al. Pediatric gastroesophageal reflux clinical practice guidelines: joint recommendations of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2018;66:516–54.

    CrossRef  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. Commission CS. Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking for infant sleep products.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Byard RW, Beal SM. V-shaped pillows and unsafe infant sleeping. J Paediatr Child Health. 1997;33:171–3.

    CAS  CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Cottengim C, Parks SE, Erck Lambert AB, et al. U-shaped pillows and sleep-related infant deaths, United States, 2004–2015. Matern Child Health J 2020; 24, 222–8.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Moon RY, Task Force On Sudden Infant Death S. SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths: evidence base for 2016 updated recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment. Pediatrics. 2016;138: e20162940.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Scheers NJ, Woodard DW, Thach BT. Crib Bumpers Continue to Cause Infant Deaths: A Need for a New Preventive Approach. J Pediatr. 2016;169:93–7.e1.

    CAS  CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. ASTM International. F1917-20 Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Infant Bedding and Related Accessories. West Conshohocken, PA, 2020. Web. 18 May 2020.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Yeh ES, Rochette LM, McKenzie LB, Smith GA. Injuries associated with cribs, playpens, and bassinets among young children in the US, 1990–2008. Pediatrics. 2011;127:479–86.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. L'Hoir MP, Engelberts AC, van Well GTJ, et al. Risk and preventive factors for cot death in The Netherlands, a low-incidence country. Eur J Pediatr. 1998;157:681–8.

    CAS  CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Pease AS, Fleming PJ, Hauck FR, et al. Swaddling and the risk of sudden infant death syndrome: a meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2016;137

    Google Scholar 

  24. Lightdale JR, Gremse DA. Gastroesophageal reflux: management guidance for the pediatrician. Pediatrics. 2013;131:e1684–95.

    CrossRef  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Thompson EL, Moon RY. Hazard patterns associated with co-sleepers. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2016;55:645–9.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Columbia University, New York, NY, USA

    Rebecca Carlin

Authors
  1. Rebecca Carlin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rebecca Carlin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    MD Rachel Y. Moon

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Carlin, R. (2020). Use of Soft Bedding and Other Soft Surfaces. In: Moon, R. (eds) Infant Safe Sleep. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47542-0_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47542-0_8

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-47541-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-47542-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)