How can a nurse help educate a new mother about infant sleep safety?

Discussing the "Back to Sleep" campaign is crucial for educating a new mother about infant sleep safety because this initiative specifically addresses the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The campaign emphasizes placing infants on their backs for all sleep times—naps and overnight—to greatly reduce the risk of SIDS. This practice is supported by extensive research and is endorsed by pediatric organizations globally, highlighting that infants who sleep on their backs are significantly less likely to experience sleep-related deaths.

While options like swaddling may have their benefits, they do not directly address the primary focus on safe sleep environments that prevent SIDS, and bed-sharing increases the risk of accidental suffocation. Additionally, promoting soft bedding can also pose hazards, as soft surfaces and objects in a baby's sleep area can lead to suffocation risks. Therefore, emphasizing the importance of the "Back to Sleep" campaign directly supports the core message of minimizing risks associated with infant sleep.