The Guardian view on a public health triumph: the numbers say it all | Editorial
Scientific research depends on a sceptical mind, as Dr Peter Fleming brilliantly proved when he uncovered the biggest cause of sudden infant death syndromePublic health is usually a slow business. First the epidemiologists must persuade the medical profession. Then they need to educate their patients. One day, there will be a glimmer of a result. Getting people to stop smoking is a classic study. But very occasionally, results can be dramatic. The latest statistics from England and Wales show the number of babies dying inexplicably in the first few months of life has fallen toits lowest level ever, down by 80% from its pea...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - August 11, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Editorial Tags: Sudden infant death syndrome Medical research Society UK news Health Health policy Public services policy Politics Parents and parenting Life and style Science Source Type: news
Sudden infant death advice 'being ignored' due to flat head worries
Conclusion
The success of the campaign to reduce the devastating experience of SIDS is not in doubt. Since the Back To Sleep campaign began, numbers of these "cot deaths" have reduced by 65% in the UK. And, at time of writing, recorded deaths from SIDS are at a record low in England and Wales.
Still, there is no room for complacency. Safe sleeping advice remains important and parents should take it very seriously.
There's no research to show whether cushions or pillows marketed as suitable for preventing flat head are either safe or effective. They are best avoided.
There are some things to bear in mind about ...
Source: NHS News Feed - August 10, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Pregnancy/child Source Type: news
Parents who put expensive pillows in their babies' cots warned they may be lethal
Experts at the George Institute for Global Health say parents are ignoring safe sleeping advice to solve a harmless and temporary cosmetic problem - and the cushions raise the risk of cot death. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - August 9, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
(Source: eMedicineHealth.com)
Source: eMedicineHealth.com - June 22, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Source Type: news
Swaddling and the risk of sudden infant death syndrome: a meta-analysis - Pease AS, Fleming PJ, Hauck FR, Moon RY, Horne RS, L'Hoir MP, Ponsonby AL, Blair PS.
CONTEXT: Swaddling is a traditional practice of wrapping infants to promote calming and sleep. Although the benefits and risks of swaddling in general have been studied, the practice in relation to sudden infant death syndrome remains unclear. OBJE... (Source: SafetyLit)
Source: SafetyLit - June 13, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: Age: Infants and Children Source Type: news
The New Health Care: The U.S. Is Failing in Infant Mortality, Starting at One Month Old
The United States does worse than about two dozen other industrialized nations in this crucial measure of public health. (Source: NYT)
Source: NYT - June 6, 2016 Category: American Health Authors: AARON E. CARROLL Tags: Infant Mortality Premature Babies Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Research Source Type: news
Parents who lose a baby to SIDS want more information
(Reuters Health) - When parents have lost a baby to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), doctors may fear that discussing the risk factors will distress them or cause them to blame themselves. But a new study suggests parents want more information. (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - May 24, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: healthNews Source Type: news
Should you swaddle your baby?
Follow me at @drClaire
When I was in medical school, the nurses in the newborn nursery taught me how to swaddle babies. They taught me how to lay the blanket down and how to tuck the edges around the baby so that he became a little “papoose.” Sometimes it worked like absolute magic to calm a cranky newborn. Over the years, I’ve taught parents to swaddle and have swaddled my own babies.
But not only does it not always calm a baby, it’s not always a good idea. And as with everything we do in life, it’s important to use common sense when you swaddle.
Swaddling has been part of caring for babies for centuries — mil...
Source: New Harvard Health Information - May 24, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Claire McCarthy, MD Tags: Children's Health Family Planning and Pregnancy Parenting Prevention Source Type: news
Another reason why pregnant women shouldn’t smoke: schizophrenia
Smoking during pregnancy has long been known to increase risks: of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, certain birth defects and sudden infant death syndrome. Now another worry may be added to the list: schizophrenia. A new study, published online Tuesday in the American Journal of Psychiatry, finds that heavy cigarette smoking by a pregnant […] (Source: Washington Post: To Your Health)
Source: Washington Post: To Your Health - May 24, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Amy Ellis Nutt Source Type: news
Bereaved parents should be given full details about how to reduce sudden infant death syndrome risk
Health professionals should tell bereaved parents about what they could have done to reduce the risk of the sudden death of their baby, a new study indicates. The research is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK and contradicts the current practice of many pediatricians who don't discuss risk factors for fear of causing grieving mothers and fathers additional upset. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - May 20, 2016 Category: Science Source Type: news
Bereaved parents should be given full details about how to reduce sudden infant death syndrome risk
(University of Warwick) A new study indicates that health professionals should tell bereaved parents about what they could have done to reduce the risk of the sudden death of their baby.The University of Warwick research, funded by the National Institute of Health Research, is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK and contradicts the current practice of many pediatricians who don't discuss risk factors for fear of causing grieving mothers and fathers additional upset. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - May 19, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
Medical News Today: Could swaddling babies for sleep raise risk of SIDS?
A review of four studies from different countries suggests there may be a link between swaddling babies for sleep and sudden infant death syndrome, and suggests some precautions. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - May 10, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Pediatrics / Children's Health Source Type: news
Higher risk of SIDS for swaddled babies, finds research
Swaddled babies sleeping on their stomachs or sides are at double the risk of sudden infant death syndrome than those not wrapped in a blanket or cloth, according to new analysis of research. (Source: Nursing Times)
Source: Nursing Times - May 10, 2016 Category: Nursing Source Type: news
Swaddling could put babies at risk
A new study suggests swaddling babies may raise their risk of SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome, especially if they're put to sleep on their stomachs (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)
Source: Health News: CBSNews.com - May 10, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Swaddling babies 'may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome'
A review of four studies looking at swaddling and sudden infant death syndrome found babies that are swaddled are at greater risk if they are placed on their side or front, University of Bristol experts found. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - May 10, 2016 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
