Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

What is an important nursing intervention to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?

1. Allow only small stuffed animals, not pillows in the crib

2. Encourage the use of a pacifier

3. Only encourage infants with reflux to be placed on their stomachs for sleep

4. Only allow co-sleeping in breastfeeding infants

The correct answer is: Encourage the use of a pacifier

The correct answer highlights the importance of encouraging the use of a pacifier as an intervention to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Research has indicated that pacifier use during sleep can lower the incidence of SIDS. The exact reason for this protective effect isn't fully understood, but it is suggested that pacifiers may help keep the airway open, promote arousal states in infants, or increase salivation, which may be protective against SIDS. Encouraging the use of a pacifier during naps and bedtime has been widely endorsed by pediatric health organizations as part of safe sleep recommendations. This intervention fits within a broader context of strategies that caregivers can adopt to promote safer sleep environments for infants. Other options do not reflect evidence-based practices around SIDS prevention. For instance, allowing small stuffed animals in the crib does not align with recommendations to keep the sleep area free of soft bedding and toys, which can pose suffocation risks. The suggestion that only infants with reflux should sleep on their stomachs is particularly concerning since stomach sleeping is associated with a higher risk of SIDS in all infants, regardless of medical conditions. Likewise, while co-sleeping may facilitate breastfeeding, it does raise safety concerns regarding bed-sharing, increasing risk factors