Grandma's baby advice not always the best

Age-old advice from grandmothers is being reinforced by modern-day advertising, but a recent study indicates that allowing babies to sleep on their sides or tummies amid stuffed animals and colorful mobiles can contribute to sudden infant death syndrome.

Pediatrics magazine found two-thirds of the images depicted in magazines show dangerous baby sleep environments, and Janet Peirce-Hollett, Women’s Health educator at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center in Sun City West, is trying to make that point to soon-to-be moms.

"It’s a big concern when parents are thumbing through a magazine and see pictures and images of a nursery and get an unrealistic view of how it should look," said "A safe crib is a boring crib," Peirce-Hollett said. "It’s a firm, well-fitted, new mattress in a new crib with one nice sheet over it. And that’s it: no bumpers, no mobiles, no pillows."

Placing babies on their backs for sleep is the recommended method.

"There are parents who may have been given advice from their mother that recommends putting a baby on its side because if it spits up, while on its back, it can choke," Peirce-Hollett said. "But that isn’t true. There is a lot of misinformation out there."

Safe sleep recommendations and other real-life skills for new parents are taught through the hospital’s women’s education department, which offers Survival Skills for New Parents classes.

Newborn safety is focused, including proper sleep positions. Peirce-Hollett said the program also dispels myths and misinformation.

In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued sleep recommendations to place babies in a nonprone position to reduce the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome. Since then there has been a dramatic decrease in SIDS.

"When baby’s breathing is blocked, they breathe back their own air, which can cause asphyxiation," Peirce-Hollett said. "Crib bumpers that are not breathable can cause babies to rebreathe the wrong air. And things that crowd a crib also reduce the amount of fresh air a baby receives."

Babies should not be placed on their tummies, either.

"Baby has to have access to fresh air," Peirce-Hollett said.

For information on parenting classes, call the Banner Care Line at 602-230-2273.