BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont’s Department of Health recently released new recommendations to prevent a parent’s worst nightmare.
According to state leaders, new parents need more support to keep their infants out of harm’s way.
The early days of new parenthood aren’t for the weak – stress, fear, and exhaustion are all things Vermont Doula Company in South Burlington sees among clients. They say even parents with the best intentions can create dangerous situations for their babies.
“Suddenly you’re living your life in these very small increments of time with very little sleep,” said Haley Parizo of Vt. Doula Company.
Parizo says it makes a perfect storm for risky rest, like falling asleep with your baby on the couch or leaving them to sleep in a swing.
“With tired stressed parents, it is very easy to fall into unsafe sleep,” said Parizo.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends these methods for safe sleeping to avoid accidental injury, suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment.
Vermont sees five or six sudden unexpected infant deaths – or SUIDs – annually, and unsafe sleep is a contributing factor. Experts say infants with parents in a financial crunch are especially susceptible.
((Dr. Rebecca Bell // UVM Health Network
“It’s hard to do for any family. It’s really hard to do if you’re under economic stress, whether it’s space, whether it’s having to go back to work, whether it’s living in a crowded living environment, all of that makes it more challenging,” said Dr. Rebecca Bell of the University of Vermont Health Network.
Dr. Bell, with the state’s child fatality review team, just released a report on SUID risk in Vermont.
The team says paid family medical leave, financial assistance, and universal nurse home visits could prevent tragedy.
“We want to, as we educate families, also be empathetic, understand what the barriers are, and make recommendations that can make it easier for families to follow those guidelines,” said Dr. Bell.
Parizo always encourages parents to follow safe sleep guidelines. But if they can’t, she has advice like staying sober and on a safe surface if you choose to co-sleep.
“Ultimately, parents are still going to sleep with their babies. How can we make it safer for those babies?” said Parizo.
The child fatality review team hopes the legislature considers their recommendations this session to minimize economic barriers blocking safe sleep.