At every encounter, assess pregnant women, parents, and other caregivers for factors associated with a higher risk for unexpected death or injury in infants while sleeping.
At every encounter, assess infants for factors associated with a higher risk for unexpected death while sleeping.
At every encounter, assess sleep position and the sleeping environment for factors associated with a higher risk for unexpected death in infants.
Collaborate with parent/caregiver, family, significant others and the inter-professional team to develop a mutually agreed upon plan to promote safe sleep in all environments.
Model safe sleep practices by placing infants on their back (supine position) for every sleep, unless medically contraindicated.
Educate parents/caregivers about safe sleep environments.
Encourage parents/caregivers to place infants to sleep on a firm mattress and in an ageappropriate crib, cradle or bassinet that meets current Canadian safety regulations.
Educate parents/caregivers about the benefits of sharing the same room with their infants for at least the first six months of life.
Educate parents/caregivers about the risks of sharing a sleep surface with their infant.
Support parents/caregivers in making an informed decision regarding pacifier use.
Provide health education about the risk of smoking during pregnancy and SIDS.
Provide smoking cessation counseling before, during, and after pregnancy to women, family members and other caregivers identified as tobacco users.
Encourage women, family members and other caregivers to promote a smoke-free environment during and after pregnancy.
Provide health education about the risks associated with SIDS and alcohol and substance use and their potential effect during pregnancy and while caring for an infant.
Provide health education before, during, and after pregnancy to promote breastfeeding as a protective factor against SIDS.
Provide health education before, during, and after pregnancy about routine immunization of infants as a protective factor against SIDS.
Evaluate parents’/caregivers’ knowledge and implementation of safe sleep practices for infants.
This website was developed by a team of researchers at the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing at Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson University). The purpose of the site is to provide supplementary resources for implementing RNAO’s Best Practice Guidelines. Some information about the best practice guidelines has been collected directly from the RNAO BPG website. We have done our best to ensure accuracy, however some discrepancies may occur. For official, up-to-date information about the best practice guidelines, please refer to the RNAO website.
