Kia moe ai te pēpi

Kia moe ai te pēpi Keep it safe, keep it simple for every sleep A guide to help you choose products that are safe for your pēpi (baby) for sleep

Ref: 2400409 | Authorised by SUDI Prevention Coordinator, May 2021

Kōwhiri ngā mea tika Choosing the right items Choosing what items you need for your new pēpi may seem overwhelming.

Many products make claims about their benefits to you and your pēpi.

This guide looks at how to choose products that your pēpi needs and that keep pēpi safe in reducing Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI).

Ānei ngā mea tika What you will need

tahi

A safe place to sleep It is best when pēpi has their own bed in the same room as their caregiver.

For pēpi where there is an increased risk of SUDI, safe sleep spaces such as wahakura are available. A wahakura is a kaupapa Māori sleep space, woven from harakeke.

Talk to your midwife for more help and information on this.

rua

A firm and fitted mattress Soft mattresses are known to increase the risk of SUDI. Are you planning on buying second hand? Make sure it has been stored somewhere clean, dry and smokefree.

toru

Age appropriate car seat Car seats are essential for safety when travelling but it is not a place for pēpi to sleep in for long periods of time.

On long journeys check on pēpi regularly, stop often and give pēpi a break from being in the car seat.

whā

Sleeping bag or blanket Pēpi sleeping bags are a good option as they prevent pēpi's head from being covered when wriggling under the bedding. A sleeping bag needs to have a fitted neck and armholes and be the right size for your pēpi.

Blankets are good too as long as they aren’t too thick and are made of natural fibres, such as wool or merino, to help prevent overheating. The blanket needs to be tucked firmly at the end of the sleep space and only cover the pēpi to shoulder height.

Ēnei pūkōrero Interesting facts

tahi

Pēpi sleep patterns It is normal for pēpi to wake often during the night. When you are tired as a new parent a product that claims to help pēpi sleep longer sounds like a fantastic solution.

Encouraging pēpi to sleep longer than is normal for their stage of development may affect their ability to wake up if they find themselves in a situation that is dangerous, such as when their mouth or nose become covered.

rua

Temperature regulation If pēpi gets too hot this can put them at higher risk of SUDI. The best way to make sure that pēpi does not overheat during sleep is to lie them on a firm, flat surface, on their back with bedding and clothing that is made from natural fibres and is suitable to the room temperature.

The temperature of the room should be comfortably warm to you as an adult wearing light clothing. If using a heater keep the room aired with the door open.

If you follow this guidance, the breathability and temperature regulation of a sleep surface does not need to be a consideration.

toru

Flat Head Syndrome The skull bones of pēpi are naturally soft and flexible to help during the process of birth. In the first weeks/months some areas can become flattened as pēpi spends a lot of time lying down. This can cause worry for some parents.

Cuddling pēpi in an upright position when awake and giving pēpi supervised tummy time are ways you can help lessen the chance of flat head syndrome.

Products claiming to prevent or reduce this can alter the natural position of the head, impacting on the airway. They also may be made from soft material that could contribute to pēpi overheating and increase the risk of suffocation.

whā

Coughing and choking Pēpi will automatically cough up or swallow fluid that they spit up (gag reflex) which prevents choking. For most pēpi this is part of their normal development that resolves with time.

Some products are marketed as sleep positioners to help reduce acid reflux and colic. There are no studies that show the effectiveness of these products to do this.

It is important to place pēpi on their back for every sleep, with their face clear of bedding.

Kia haumaru ai te moe o te pēpi Keep pēpi safe while they sleep

Key things to remember When working out what you need for pēpi it doesn't need to be complicated.

If you have questions or concerns talk to your midwife or Tamariki Ora Well Child nurse.

Have a mattress that fits flush to all the edges of the sleep space

Have a firm, flat mattress, no more than 40 millimetres thick otherwise it could be a suffocation hazard

Have blankets made of natural fibres, that are not too thick and are firmly tucked under the mattress

Have no pillows or bumper pads in the sleeping space

Have no soft toys or extra blankets in the sleeping space

Be placed away from windows, curtains or any hanging objects

Kāore ngā mea pai Items not recommended

Items not recommended For a safe sleep for pēpi you don't need to buy lots of products or spend more on expensive items.

When you consider things for pēpi always think about the material the product is made from, the position pēpi lies in it and how does this keep the nose and mouth clear to keep the airway open, reducing the risk of suffocation.

Pillows or head rests

Padded baby nests or cocoons

Bean bags

Sleep positioners

Hammocks

Monitors to check if pēpi is breathing (Apnoea monitor)

Cot bumpers

Thick heavy bedding and duvets

He kōrero āwhina Some helpful information

NZ safety standards Standards tell us that the product has passed certain tests, such as making sure it won’t set on fire easily, but they don’t mean that the item is safe when it comes to reducing SUDI. If a product complies with a NZ standard it should be stated on the product, the packaging and their website.

The following standards are the only ones in New Zealand: AS/NZS 8811.1:2013 Sleep Surfaces – Test for Firmness.

AS/NZS 2195:2010 Folding Cots – Safety Requirements.

AS/NZS 2172:2013 Cots for Household Use – Safety Requirements.

Ministry of Health Safe Sleep Device Quality Specification Guidelines.

AS/NZ 1754:2013 Child Restraint Systems for use in Motor Vehicles.

For more information For more information about SUDI or other health concerns you may have for yourself, pēpi or whānau, please visit www.healthinfo.org.nz or sudinationalcoordination.co.nz or www.sidsandkids.org.nz You can also talk to your midwife, Tamariki Ora Well Child Provider or your local GP.

Safe sleep for P.E.P.E Place

Place pēpi (baby) in their own baby bed in the same room as their parent or caregiver.

Eliminate

Eliminate smoking in pregnancy and protect pēpi (baby) with a smokefree whānau (family), whare (home) and waka (car).

Position

Position pēpi (baby) flat on their back to sleep – face clear of bedding.

Encourage

Encourage and support breastfeeding and gentle handling of pēpi (baby).