The activity and discussion for this module will explore one threat to infant health and mortality that has seen growing interest and concern over the past few years: Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID).
Although Infant Mortality has decreased significantly in the United States over the past several decades, there are still relatively large numbers of deaths attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death. These sleep-related infant deaths are often difficult to classify definitively given the similar scenarios in which the deaths occur. It is not uncommon that a specific cause of death may not be discernable even after autopsy.
Currently, significant attention is being focused on the link between co-sleeping/co-bedding, where the infant sleeps in the same bed as the parent (s) and SUID or accidental suffocation.
For better understanding of SIDS and SUID, and related risks, check out the CDC SIDS website at: http://www.cdc.gov/sids/ (opens in new tab)
Then take a look at this very brief video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIgE_Ck5FgI (opens in new tab)
To complete this activity and discussion post, you will need to do some research to explore existing campaigns, slogans or marketing materials aimed at reducing Co-Sleeping/co-bedding/Accidental Suffocation of infants.
There are a number of national, state and local campaigns focused on increasing awareness, and reducing the incidence of SUID/accidental suffocation in the U. S., such as the ABCs of Safe Sleep or Safe to Sleep or campaigns. Here is on example of a campaign poster: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/16/co-sleeping-ad-baby-knife-dangers_n_1097170.html (opens in new tab)
After reviewing the materials on SUID and Safe-Sleep/Co-Sleeping, complete the following steps:
Find 2 slogans that you like and copy them and the links to them into the forum.
Critique the slogans – do you think they are culturally sensitive? If not, why/how so. Do you think that they speak to the issues effectively? How could they be improved?
Create your own slogan regarding one of the following: safe sleep, ways to reduce SUID, or advice for new parents on safe sleeping for their infant.
Post the slogans, your critique of them and your own slogan