Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and safe sleeping
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden unexpected death of a baby
and is the most common cause of death in babies between one month and one year
of age. Most babies who die of SIDS are under six months of age.
It is important to know that your baby is as safe as possible when asleep. Follow
these points to reduce the risk of SIDS:
• Put your baby on his/her back to sleep.
Something to
• Place him/her with the feet at the end of the bassinet or cot so that Remember
your baby
cannot slip down under the bed clothes.
• Use only light bedding (no quilts or doonas) and keep your baby’s
head uncovered.
Remember
• Do not put pillows, bumpers or soft toys in the cot as these can get over
your baby’s head.
• Make sure the cot conforms to safety standards.
• The mattress must be firm and well fitting.
• If you use a rocking cradle, make sure it cannot tilt while your baby sleeps. Ensure
the locking pin/bolt is secure.
• Don’t let your baby sleep on a waterbed or bean bag, or be left unattended in a
pram or stroller (see manufacturers’ warning on your pram or stroller).
For more information, see “Safe Sleep” on the Raising Children Network
website: www.raisingchildren.net.au
Vitamin K
Vitamin K prevents a rare but often fatal bleeding disorder of babies called Vitamin
K Deficiency Bleeding. Medical authorities worldwide are united in strongly
recommending that all babies be given Vitamin K. This includes babies who are
premature, sick or undergoing any surgery, such as circumcision. Giving Vitamin K
(intramuscular) to your newborn baby is a simple way to prevent this serious disease.
(See information brochure in your kit).
It is recommended that babies be given a single dose of Vitamin K by injection
within the first few hours of birth, with your consent. Newborns may be deficient in
Vitamin K in the first eight days of life. Vitamin K is needed to help the blood clot and
to prevent bleeding.
Hepatitis B Immunisation
Hepatitis B is a disease caused by a virus that affects the liver. This virus may cause
short-term or long-term liver disease. A baby infected with the Hepatitis B virus
usually has no or very mild symptoms. However, more than 90% of infected babies
will go on to be long term ‘carriers’ of the virus.
It is recommended that babies are immunised soon after birth and during infancy.
With your consent, we will give your baby a Hepatitis B vaccine. To complete the
immunisation, more vaccinations are given up until four years of life. If you are
Hepatitis B positive, it is suggested that your baby is given immunoglobulin injection
while in hospital. This is to provide your baby with some immediate protection from
Hepatitis B.
It is recommended
that babies be given
a single dose
of Vitamin K by
injection within the
first few hours
of birth, with
your consent.
Healthy
hearing screening
During your hospital stay, this is
one of the routine health checks
your baby will have soon after
birth, with your consent. A small
number of babies are born with
hearing loss that could affect
their speech and language skills.
Hearing loss may not be obvious
in the first few weeks of life but
can be detected by a simple
hearing screen. You will be given
the results as soon as the screen
is completed whilst in hospital.
Ongoing hearing tests are
available through your local
community child health nurse.
36 Mitcham Maternity Childbirth and Parent Education
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