Final answer:
To prevent SIDS, infants should not be given pillows at night, plants should be out of reach, crib sides should be up, and a firm mattress with a tight-fitting sheet should be used.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse instructing parents about safety rules for infants and young children should emphasize the importance of SIDS prevention. Parents should be advised to remove plants from the child's reach to avoid the risk of ingestion of potentially toxic substances. Infants should not be provided with a pillow at night, as it poses a suffocation risk. A plastic covering on the infant's mattress can help prevent germs and ensure easy cleaning, but it must be used with a tight-fitted sheet to prevent the risk of suffocation. Lastly, keeping crib sides up is essential for infant safety, and the mattress setting should be adjusted according to the child's development to reduce the risk of falls.
Current research on SIDS is focused on understanding the cause of SIDS and investigating risk factors such as brain structure and function abnormalities, premature birth, low birth weight, and exposure to secondhand smoke. Parents can reduce the risk of SIDS by ensuring their infant sleeps on their back, in a crib free of pillows, blankets, and padded bumpers, and by maintaining a smoke-free environment. It's also important not to cover an infant's head during sleep to prevent overheating.