Abstract

AZEVEDO, Lúcia; MOTA, Liliana  and  MACHADO, Ana Inês. Safe Sleep Environment In First Year Of Life. Nascer e Crescer [online]. 2015, vol.24, n.1, pp.18-23. ISSN 0872-0754.

Background: Most of anticipatory care to promoting a safe sleep environment is related to the prevention of Sudden Infant  Death  Syndrome. Nowadays, it is  unknown if the recommended preventive measures are followed by parents. Objectives: Characterize maternal behaviours to promoting of a safe sleep environment during the first year of life. Material and Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sample consisting of mothers whose children have ≤ 12 months, with medical appointment between 01.09.2012 and 30.12.2012. Data were collected using an anonymous self-fulfilment questionnaire realized by the mothers and then it was performed a descriptive statistical analysis. Results: 89 questionnaires were validated; 38.2% of the inquired mothers prefer the recommended supine position for placing their infant for sleep; 75.0% from the 58.4% that elect side positioning did so because they believed to be the safest position; 89.9% of infants slept in the same room as their parents; 68.5% of the inquired mothers said they had fallen asleep with the child in his bed at least once and the major reasons for bed sharing were: to calm a fussy infant (60.7%) and / or facilitate breastfeeding (31.1%). Discussion/Conclusion: Despite study  limitations, there was evidence of low compliance to the current recommendations related to promoting a safe sleep environment. Therefore, it is important that health professionals ensure that parents understand the risks and benefits of their practices.

Keywords : Infant; safe sleep; sudden infant death syndrome.

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