Safe sleep and SUDI prevention — branching viva

Stem

You are in a newborn clinic with first-time parents. ^[1]

Examiner: What is the difference between SUDI and SIDS? ^[1]

Strong answer: SUDI is the umbrella for unexpected infant death. SIDS is the unexplained residual category after complete investigation. Some sleep-related deaths are explained (for example accidental suffocation). ^[1]

Examiner: Explain the triple-risk model in one minute. ^[3]

Strong answer: A vulnerable infant plus a critical developmental period plus an exogenous stressor. Prevention mainly removes the exogenous stressor — unsafe sleep environment, smoke, thermal stress. ^[3]

Examiner: They want to bed-share to breastfeed. What do you say? ^[1]

Strong answer: Support breastfeeding. Recommend room-sharing with a separate safe surface rather than routine bed-sharing. Explicitly ban sofa sharing and remove hazards if any shared surface still occurs (smoke, alcohol, drugs, soft bedding, preterm infant). ^{[1] [9] [10] [6]}

Examiner: Why not side sleeping “just in case of vomit”? ^[1]

Strong answer: Side is unstable and often becomes prone. Supine is the recommended position for every sleep; choking concern is not a reason to abandon back-to-sleep evidence. ^{[1] [2]}

Examiner: Parents are exhausted and say guidelines feel impossible. ^[17]

Strong answer: Acknowledge the tension without abandoning core rules. Problem-solve night routines, bassinet placement, feed plans that avoid sofa sleep, and supports. Shame blocks disclosure. ^[17]