• News
  • Movies
  • Money
  • Health
  • Videos
More
  • Health News
  • Features
  • Food
  • Wellness
  • Diseases
  • Pregnancy
  • Parenting
  • Mental Health
  • Stress

Blankets and pillows put babies at sudden death risk

Washington: Soft objects and loose bedding - such as thick blankets, quilts and pillows - can obstruct an infant's airway and pose a risk of suffocation, according to a research. Nearly 55 percent of US infants are placed to sleep with bedding that increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome...

Dec 2, 2014, 03:30 AM IST
T- T T+

Washington: Soft objects and loose bedding - such as thick blankets, quilts and pillows - can obstruct an infant's airway and pose a risk of suffocation, according to a research.

Nearly 55 percent of US infants are placed to sleep with bedding that increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), reveal the findings from a research campaign called 'Safe to Sleep', which was conducted by the US National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other institutions.

'Parents have good intentions but may not understand that blankets, quilts and pillows increase a baby's risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation,' said Carrie K. Shapiro-Mendoza, the study's first author and senior scientist in CDC's Division of Reproductive Health in the US.

Relatives may give parents quilts or fluffy blankets as presents for the new baby and they feel obligated to use them.

'But babies should be placed for sleep on a firm, safety approved mattress and fitted sheet, without any other bedding,' Shapiro-Mendoza added.

'Soft objects, toys, crib bumpers, quilts, comforters and loose bedding should be kept out of the baby's sleep area,' Shapiro-Mendoza said.

Based on responses from nearly 20,000 care givers, the researchers reported that although the usage of such potentially unsafe bedding items declined from 85.9 percent in 1993-1995, it still remained high at 54.7 percent, in 2008-2010.

As part of the survey, care givers were asked whether infants were placed to sleep on such items as blankets, bean bag chairs, rugs, sheepskin, cushions or pillows.

Care givers were also asked whether the infant was covered with bedding materials such as blankets, quilts, comforters, sheepskin or pillows.

The 'Safe to Sleep' research campaign results advise against blankets or other coverings, recommend sleep clothing, such as one-piece sleepers, and keeping the room at a comfortable temperature.

The study was published in the journal Pediatrics.

PRINT
EMAIL
COMMENT
 

Related Articles

Bharat Biotech rolls out Covaxin, first consignment taken from Hyderabad to Delhi
News |
News |
1.80 lakh Covishield vaccine reaches Kochi; to be distributed from 113 centres
News |
COVID vaccination: Kerala sets up 9 to 12 centres in each districts
News |
Kerala ready for successful COVID-19 vaccination drive, sets up 133 centres
 
 
More from this section
kid
Food insecurity in toddler years linked to poor health
mother and child
Parenting stress weakens mother-child communication
child with mobile phone
This app will tell what babies think, feel
kid
Kids notice more, better learners than adults
baby
Tips for monsoon skin care for babies
News in Videos
News+ Kerala India NRI World Columns Features Offbeat Good News Crime
Leisure Movies & Music Sports Travel Books
Learn Money Education Agriculture
Lifestyle Health Tech Food Astrology
Multimedia Gallery Videos Mojo News News In Pics
Our Network Malayalam Print Mathrubhumi News TV Kappa TV Club FM Seed Silver Bullet FindHome Media School MBIFL Redmic
E-Paper
Subscription
Buy Books
Magazines
Classifieds
Archives
 
  • E-Paper
  • Subscription
  • Buy Books
  • Magazines
  • Classifieds
  • Archives
© Copyright Mathrubhumi 2021. All rights reserved.
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy
Terms of Use Archives
Ad Tariff Download App Classifieds
Buy Books Subscription e-Subscription
 
           
© Copyright Mathrubhumi 2021. All rights reserved.