Play position is influenced by knowledge of SIDS sleep position recommendations.

OBJECTIVE

This study determined whether knowledge of sleeping in the prone position as a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) influences caregivers' positioning of their infants for play and sleep.

METHODOLOGY

One hundred caregivers attending Adelaide metropolitan Child Adolescent and Family Health Services (CAFHS) were surveyed by self-administered questionnaire.

RESULTS

Ninety-three per cent of parents reported that their knowledge of SIDS influenced infant positioning for sleep and 84% reported they never put their infant in the prone position for sleep. Thirty-seven per cent reported that SIDS knowledge did influence play positioning and 26% reported never placing their infant prone for play. There was a significant association (P = 0.002) between the influence of SIDS knowledge on play positioning and avoidance of the prone position for play.

CONCLUSIONS

Community educators may need to clarify that prone positioning for play is not a risk factor for SIDS and that it is desirable for infants to spend supervised wakeful time in the prone position.