In light of the recent passage of the Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2019 and the launch of a new app designed to combat SIDS, the U.S. is making important progress in addressing the more than 1,500 SIDS-related fatalities each year. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, the Baby Be Well app is a free, interactive tool from the medical professionals at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey. This innovative app not only promotes safe sleep practices for infants under one year old but also doubles as a virtual baby book that can be shared with selected family and friends.
According to Dr. Lucas Bennett, a Pediatric Professor at Rutgers involved in the app’s development, “The app functions like a traditional baby book where parents can upload photos, track milestones, and monitor daily activities like feeding schedules.” Parents can share their entries with family members, who will also receive valuable safe sleep tips and reminders.
Despite its somewhat misleading name, “Sudden Infant Death Syndrome” (SIDS) is not a syndrome in the traditional sense. Instead, it is categorized as a cause of death when other explanations cannot be established. Often, deaths attributed to SIDS occur when there’s a suspicion of accidental suffocation, but not enough evidence to confirm it. The CDC reports that unsafe sleep practices account for 26% of these tragic incidents.
Dr. Naomi Foster, a leading researcher in pediatric health at Rutgers, explains, “While SIDS remains defined as an unexplained infant death within the first year, we know that certain conditions can significantly reduce its risk.” These risk-reducing conditions are based on extensive research conducted in conjunction with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Recommendations include having infants sleep on a flat surface, alone, and on their backs during the first year of life, along with avoiding alcohol, drugs, or tobacco use.
Many new parents leave the hospital with minimal education about the risk factors for SIDS beyond the basics. It’s crucial to understand that if an infant sleeps in an unsafe environment, especially under four months old, they lack the necessary head and neck control to reposition themselves. Even without physical obstructions, unsafe sleep can create an environment where the baby rebreathes carbon dioxide, which can be deadly.
Since the launch of the Safe is Best, or Back is Best initiative, aimed at promoting the AAP’s safe sleep guidelines, the U.S. has witnessed over a 60% decline in SIDS deaths over the past two decades. This indicates that the preventative measures advised to parents are indeed effective.
SIDS/SUIDS deaths account for 80% of all infant fatalities, and professionals at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the SIDS Center of New Jersey are committed to changing this statistic. Dr. Bennett emphasizes, “Knowledge is only beneficial when shared and applied.”
The app is designed to be engaging and interactive, encouraging users to return frequently and continually access safe sleep guidelines. Dr. Foster adds, “We found these reminders are essential for maintaining awareness and compliance throughout the first year of a child’s life.” The Baby Be Well app not only educates parents about safe sleep practices but also promotes sharing this vital information with grandparents and other caregivers. Before the Back is Best campaign debuted in 1994, over 70% of infants were placed to sleep on their stomachs. The app’s daily “tip of the day” can be crucial for caregivers who may have been taught outdated methods.
Encouraging grandparents to use the app regularly is important, as safe sleep advice has evolved significantly since many of them raised their children. The Baby Be Well app is currently available on Android and will soon be accessible on iOS devices. Safe sleep is paramount, backed by decades of research that reinforces its importance.
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Summary
A new app called Baby Be Well has been launched to help reduce SIDS risk factors, coinciding with the recent Safe Sleep for Babies Act of 2019. Developed by Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Microsoft, this free app promotes safe sleep practices while also serving as a virtual baby book. It provides parents with essential tips and reminders to share with caregivers, aiming to further decrease the incidence of SIDS-related deaths in infants.
Keyphrase: SIDS prevention app
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