Analyzing Methods to Improve Infant Sleep Safety
Authors
Alison Labarge, Erin McCann, Kyle Seymour, Ryan Kennedy
Sponsor
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Advisors
Scott Jiusto, James Hanlan
Term
October – December 2017
Project Outcomes
Abstract
Annually, in the United States, nearly 3,500 infants die before their first birthday due to Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). For many years, researchers have tried to determine how to lower the incidence of and lower the incidence of these deaths. Despite the numerous efforts by many
organizations, sleep related infant deaths in the United States remain disproportionately higher than other nations. Working with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), research of previous efforts to help lower the rate of SUID in the United States was conducted, and where these methods were successful and where they could be improved were analyzed. Through stakeholder interviews, a literature review, and focus groups, the obstacles caregivers face to adopting the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations to reduce the risk of SUID were identified. A set of recommendations were made to the CPSC and safe sleep network to help address the barriers caregivers and parents face, and created a map of many of the organizations working in this field.