Washington, Aug 17 (IANS) More than a third of pictures in women’s magazines depict babies in unsafe sleeping positions, possibly heightening the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), says a new study.
SIDS is the sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant during sleep.

The study led by Rachel Moon, a paediatrician and Brandi Joyner at Children’s National Medical Centre (CNMC), analysed pictures of sleeping infants in 24 magazines with wide circulation among 20 to 40-year-old women.

The authors evaluated pictures for sleep positions, including whether or not the baby was placed on its side or stomach rather than on its back, as well as hazards in infant sleeping environments, including soft bedding. The study reviewed photos in both articles and advertisements.

“There are major discrepancies between what doctors recommend to prevent sudden infant death syndrome and what moms may see in mainstream media,” said Moon.

“The most important thing for moms to realise is that what they see in magazines may not be what’s best for their baby in real life.”

To reduce the risk of SIDS, the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies be placed on their backs when sleeping, on a separate sleep surface from their parents, without blankets, pillows, or other soft bedding.

These findings were published in Paediatrics.