Final answer:
To prevent sudden unexplained infant death (SUID), the nurse should instruct parents to keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the baby's sleep area. Placing the baby on its back to sleep and avoiding suffocation hazards like soft mattresses and crib bumpers are critical recommendations supported by extensive research.
Step-by-step explanation:
Preventing Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SUID)
When educating a parent on ways to prevent sudden unexplained infant death (SUID), it is crucial to provide accurate and life-saving instructions.
The nurse should include the following instruction: keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the baby's sleep area. This advice is based on substantial research indicating that infants should be placed on their backs to sleep, and that their cribs should be free of potential suffocation hazards like blankets, pillows, or padded crib bumpers.
These precautions have been associated with a decrease in the number of infant deaths from SIDS.
It is also important to highlight practices that should be avoided as they can increase the risk of SUID. These include placing the baby on the stomach for sleep, using a soft mattress, and having crib bumpers, all of which can elevate the risk of SIDS.
Furthermore, to reduce the chance of overheating, which is another risk factor, infants should not wear caps while sleeping. Eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke in the home is equally essential for the prevention of SUID.
Reliable sources for further information regarding SIDS include recognized health organizations or peer-reviewed medical research studies that can be accessed online.
New parents should seek out this reputable information to better understand risk factors and protective measures against SUID.