Protecting Infants from Sudden Unexpected Infant Death: Guidelines for Interventions during the Perinatal Period from the French National College of Midwives

Abstract

With 300–400 annual deaths in France, sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is the leading cause of mortality in France among infants from the end of their first through their 12th month of life. These clinical practice guidelines aim to identify strategies for (future) parents to prevent avoidable SUIDs. They are based on a narrative literature review and an analysis of the existing reports and guidelines available on the topic in 2019–2020. In summary, it is recommended that parents ensure that their infants sleep on their back on a firm, empty surface in a sufficiently ventilated environment, share the parental bedroom, and be breastfed and vaccinated. All of these actions create protective factors against SUID. Conversely, parents should know that several factors increase the risk of SUID: unsafe sleep, maternal smoking, passive smoking after birth, exposure to alcohol or other psychoactive substances, and excessive heat. Precis: Sudden Unexpected Infant Death prevention includes infants being breastfed and vaccinated, sleeping on their back, on a firm, empty surface, near parents, and that they are not overheated.

Intervention during the Perinatal Period: Synthesis of the Clinical Practice Guidelines from the French National College of Midwives

“…Theme 4: Promotion of Child Health ‐ Chapter n°6: Initiating and Supporting Breastfeeding 27 ‐ Chapter n°7: Newborns' Bonding and Attachment, their Rhythms and Needs, Supporting Parents Appropriately 28 ‐ Chapter n°8: Young Children and Screens 29 ‐ Chapter n°9: Protecting Infants from Sudden Unexpected Infant Death 30 ‐ Chapter n°10: Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) or Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma from Shaking 31 …”

Initiating and Supporting Breastfeeding: Guidelines for Interventions during the Perinatal Period from the French National College of Midwives

“…Rooming‐in does not necessarily involve bed sharing , which may increase the risk of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) ( LE2 ) 31 . Sharing a room, as opposed to sharing a bed, can facilitate the mother‐child proximity necessary for effective BF while keeping the infant safe 32 …”

“…31 Sharing a room, as opposed to sharing a bed, can facilitate the mother-child proximity necessary for effective BF while keeping the infant safe. 32 Other factors such as not introducing complements or pacifiers and providing information on normal newborn patterns are also associated with successful and continued BF. 33 Implementing the following 3 predictors of effective BF initiation is recommended: skin-to-skin contact, first breastfeed, and rooming-in (sharing a room) of newborn and mother (Grade A).…”