Webinar: Safety in Infant Sleep and its Cultural Consideration From a Doula’s Perspective

November 17, 2023November 17, 2023 LA Best Babies Network

Every year, there are about 3,400 sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUIDs) in the United States. This mortality rate has gone down considerably since the early 1990’s when safe sleep public education campaigns began.

Home visitors can (and do!) play an important role in ensuring that families are aware of safe sleep practices for their babies. But there’s more to it than just telling families what to do. It’s key that they how to approach this conversation and that they account for cultural differences.

“We need to include families in the safe sleep decision making process, because if we just go in and tell them what to do in a one-time visit and leave again, they’re not going to do it, if they’re not part of that decision making process,” said Kathrin Augera, a certified birth/postpartum doula and former pediatric RN. In the webinar below, she guides home visitors in having this discussion with families.

Commonly reported types of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID):

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Unknown Cause
Accidental Suffocation and Strangulation in Bed

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends babies sleep on their backs on a firm sleep surface, with no loose bedding or objects (stuffed animals, blankets, or toys).

How to have conservations about safe sleep with families you serve:

Respectful dialogue: ask questions, include families in decision-making process, follow up and adjust
Customize sleep information: cultural-specific resources, including pictures and verbiage , encourage inclusivity
Cultural-friendly products: bedding, sleep arrangements, financial abilities

In the presentation below — hosted by LA Best Babies Network on November 13, 2023, for Welcome Baby Parent Coaches, home visitors, and other staff of our network’s home visiting organizations and Welcome Baby hospitals — Kathrin Augera, a retired NICU registered nurse and certified birth/postpartum doula:

Demonstrates knowledge of the role of the postpartum doula
Explains the guiding principles of the doula: N.E.A.R.
Describes professional boundaries of postpartum doulas
Lists important safety considerations when caring for an infant in regard to sleep and its cultural implications
Describes the capabilities of the infant and how exploring these with the parents will improve bonding

Watch the webinar recording here, and don’t miss the links to related resources below:

About the presenter:

Kathrin Auger (she/her) started her training as a pediatric registered nurse in Switzerland in 1993 where she worked on the NICU at one of the leading university hospitals for several years. During her years on the NICU she expanded her training in infant massage, baby wearing, reflexology, kinesthesia (conscious handling of the newborn), lactation, homeopathy, and flower essences which broaden her expertise in the maternity field. Her work also included the supervision of pediatric nurses and midwife interns. Kathrin’s years of conventional medical training fed her desire to step outside the typical medical model and go deeper into more personal care during the perinatal period. After her move to Los Angeles in 2002 she became a certified birth and postpartum doula as well as a postpartum doula trainer.