Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and safe sleeping Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden unexpected death of a baby and is the most common cause of death in babies between one month and one year of age. Most babies who die of SIDS are under six months of age. It is important to know that your baby is as safe as possible when asleep. Follow these points to reduce the risk of SIDS: • Put your baby on his/her back to sleep. Something to • Place him/her with the feet at the end of the bassinet or cot so that Remember your baby cannot slip down under the bed clothes. • Use only light bedding (no quilts or doonas) and keep your baby’s head uncovered. Remember • Do not put pillows, bumpers or soft toys in the cot as these can get over your baby’s head. • Make sure the cot conforms to safety standards. • The mattress must be firm and well fitting. • If you use a rocking cradle, make sure it cannot tilt while your baby sleeps. Ensure the locking pin/bolt is secure. • Don’t let your baby sleep on a waterbed or bean bag, or be left unattended in a pram or stroller (see manufacturers’ warning on your pram or stroller). For more information, see “Safe Sleep” on the Raising Children Network website: www.raisingchildren.net.au Vitamin K Vitamin K prevents a rare but often fatal bleeding disorder of babies called Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding. Medical authorities worldwide are united in strongly recommending that all babies be given Vitamin K. This includes babies who are premature, sick or undergoing any surgery, such as circumcision. Giving Vitamin K (intramuscular) to your newborn baby is a simple way to prevent this serious disease. (See information brochure in your kit). It is recommended that babies be given a single dose of Vitamin K by injection within the first few hours of birth, with your consent. Newborns may be deficient in Vitamin K in the first eight days of life. Vitamin K is needed to help the blood clot and to prevent bleeding. Hepatitis B Immunisation Hepatitis B is a disease caused by a virus that affects the liver. This virus may cause short-term or long-term liver disease. A baby infected with the Hepatitis B virus usually has no or very mild symptoms. However, more than 90% of infected babies will go on to be long term ‘carriers’ of the virus. It is recommended that babies are immunised soon after birth and during infancy. With your consent, we will give your baby a Hepatitis B vaccine. To complete the immunisation, more vaccinations are given up until four years of life. If you are Hepatitis B positive, it is suggested that your baby is given immunoglobulin injection while in hospital. This is to provide your baby with some immediate protection from Hepatitis B. It is recommended that babies be given a single dose of Vitamin K by injection within the first few hours of birth, with your consent. Healthy hearing screening During your hospital stay, this is one of the routine health checks your baby will have soon after birth, with your consent. A small number of babies are born with hearing loss that could affect their speech and language skills. Hearing loss may not be obvious in the first few weeks of life but can be detected by a simple hearing screen. You will be given the results as soon as the screen is completed whilst in hospital. Ongoing hearing tests are available through your local community child health nurse. 36 Greenslopes Maternity Childbirth and Parent Education Helpful Hints Important Information Info to note
Childbirth and Parent Ed Book 1015 PI448
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