The nurse is educating a group of parents about ways to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse suggest? Select all that apply.

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11ecbb05_cabf_ca7c_b433_3d3d1910dc03_MD0009_00 Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected, unexplained death of an infant age <1 year, occurring most frequently in those age <6 months during sleep/naps. The nurse should recommend that parents place their infant to sleep on the back in a safe place (eg, crib). The sleep surface (eg, mattress) should be firm with no loose or soft items (eg, blankets, toys, stuffed animals) to prevent suffocation (Option F). Environmental factors such as smoking may also increase the infant's risk for SIDS; therefore, parents should maintain a smoke-free environment (Option D). In addition, breastfeeding and updated vaccinations help to keep infants healthy and are protective against SIDS (Options A and C). (Option B) Parents should avoid cosleeping with their infant (ie, bed sharing) because it increases the infant's risk for suffocation and falls. Encouraging room sharing without bed sharing is appropriate, however. (Option E) Due to the infant's body shape (ie, barrel chest; flat, uncurved spine), side-lying positions facilitate rolling over to a prone position. Instead, the nurse may recommend supervised time during the day for the infant to lay on the stomach while awake (ie, tummy time) to promote muscle development and prevent positional plagiocephaly. Educational objective: To reduce the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (ie, the unexpected, unexplained death of an infant age <1 year), the nurse should teach parents to avoid cosleeping and prone/side-lying sleeping positions and encourage safe sleep practices (eg, firm sleeping surface); breastfeeding; a smoke-free environment; and updated vaccinations.

The Nurse Is Educating a Group of Parents About Ways