Educate family about the risk factors of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) so that they'll be aware of the current practices to reduce risk and prevent its occurrence.
Position infant on the back when placed in the crib. Incidence of SIDS is higher among infants placed prone.- Make sure infant's head is slightly elevated to decrease abdominal pressure on the diaphragm and allow better expansion of the lungs.
- Teach parents to avoid having loose blankets, toys, or other articles in the crib to decrease the risk of accidental suffocation.
- Make sure infant lies on a firm surface so that infant doesn't sink into the mattress, mattress cover, or blanket to decrease the risk of suffocation.
- Avoid overheating the room and wrapping infant's body in heavy blankets. Overheating infant increases the body's demand for oxygen.
Encourage mother to breastfeed infant because this is associated with a lower incidence of SIDS.- When an apnea monitor is ordered for high-risk infant, teach parents how to correctly apply the apparatus and leads and ensure that alarms are set correctly. The machine will sound an alarm if the respiratory rate or heart rate falls below a predetermined level (typically specified by the physician). The benefit of the monitor can only be achieved if it is utilized appropriately.
- Instruct parents in the correct application of CPR to reduce anxiety and promote confidence in technique.
- Assess the level of anxiety in parents and family members routinely and provide suggestions for coping mechanisms to assist family in dealing with the period of vulnerability for infant.
Make appropriate referrals for community health nursing and home visits to allow an opportunity to assess the home situation, care provided, and coping level of the family.
Suggested NIC Interventions