Implementation of the SIDS guidelines in midwifery practice

The literature suggests that midwives strongly influence parenting practices immediately after birth and during early postnatal management of the newborn. Midwives must therefore be aware of the current evidence and public health recommendations for reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and provide consistent information about use of the supine position. Midwives must also include information about environmental factors that are also known to increase the risk of SIDS such as exposure to cigarette smoke, covering the infant's face during sleep and other potential unsafe sleeping practices such as co-sleeping and bed sharing with their infant.

The position midwives use to settle infants and place them for sleep is an important example for parents. The position favoured by midwives when placing a newborn to sleep will have a significant impact on parental practice after discharge home. A standardised evidenced based approach to the SIDS Guidelines immediately after birth will facilitate consistency in practice and uniformity in the message parents are given about safe sleeping practices for their newborn infant.