Health & Safety
Taking Care of a Baby
What can you do to reduce the risk of SIDS
Put the baby down to sleep on his or her back. One of the most important things you can do to help reduce the risk of SIDS is to place the baby on his/her back to sleep. Health care providers now recommend that babies be placed on their back to sleep. Keep in mind that:
Babies that can turn from back to front on their own should not be forced to stay on the back.
Babies should be placed in a variety of positions while awake.
Babies with certain health problems may need to sleep on their stomach.
Provide the baby with smoke free surroundings.
Provide a smoke free environment to reduce the risk of SIDS.
SIDS is more common among those babies who are exposed to smoke from tobacco products.
Smoke is not good for a baby. Babies exposed to smoke have more colds and other illnesses.
Use the correct bedding for the baby.
A baby should sleep on a firm mattress or other firm surface. Make sure there are no ledges or gaps into which the baby could fall.
Do not place the baby to sleep on a waterbed, Sheepskin, pillow or any other soft materials.
Do not use fluffy blankets or comforters under the baby. Remove pillows, stuffed toys, and bumper pads from the crib of young babies.
Do not overdress the baby.
Babies need to be kept warm, not hot. If the room temperature is right for you, it will be right for the baby. As a general rule, dress the baby with the same amount of clothing that you are wearing.
Keeping a baby healthy.
It is important for babies to have regular checkups and immunizations.
At the present time, there is no known way to predict or prevent a SIDS death. However, recent research has shown that these infant care practices have significantly reduced the risk of SIDS.
For more information contact: 5330 Primrose Drive, Suite 231, Fair Oaks, CA 95628-3542 or 1-800-369-SIDS (within California) or 916-536-0167 or email casidsprogram@sprintmail.com *Provided by the California SIDS Program under funding by the California Department of Health Services, Maternal and Child Health Branch, California SIDS Program*
Nutrition and Health Awareness
In an effort to encourage activities related to obesity prevention, healthy eating habits, and an active lifestyle. Unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity have led to a national obesity epidemic. This can lead to cardiovascular disease and cancer; Type 2 diabetes in adults, teens and children: inability to meet minimum standards to be considered physically fit; increasing disability rates due to obesity; rising health care costs; and low self-esteem, social stigma and depression.
The following websites provides providers and parents information and training on proper nutrition and exercise for children and infants.
Dairy Council of California - Nutrition Education for Healthy diets: www.dairycouncilofca.org
Mayo Clinic, Childhood Obesity: Parenting Advice, etc: www.mayoclinic.com
Center for Health and Health Care in Schools: www.healthinschools.org
American Academy of Pediatrics: www.aap.org
American Academy of Family Physicians: www.aafp.org
Department of Agriculture, Team Nutrition: www.fns.usda.gov/tn