Teaching Doctors to Talk about Safe Sleep—and Save Babies’ Lives

When you give to the American Academy of Pediatrics, one of the most meaningful parts is the scale of impact. The Academy was designed to reach kids in every corner of the U.S. and beyond. It’s right there in our tagline: We’re dedicated to the health and well-being of all children. 

Our members form the backbone of this work, caring for patients, counseling parents, and advocating for policies that put children first. I want to share one way your gift to the Friends of Children Fund supports the pediatricians carrying out this essential mission. 

The AAP has made tremendous progress reducing the rate of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) through its safe sleep advocacy and education. After the AAP began recommending parents place babies on their backs to sleep in 1992, rates of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) dropped by 50%. Despite the advances, SUID remains the No. 1 cause of death for infants between 1 month and 1 year old, and in recent years rates have begun to rise again. 

Empowering Pediatricians to Help Babies Sleep Safely 

Donations to the Friends of Children Fund supported a new Education in Quality Improvement for Pediatric Practice (EQIPP) course designed to help pediatricians understand and apply AAP recommendations for safe infant sleep. 

“EQIPP: Safe Sleep” gives pediatricians practical guidance on incorporating safe sleep screening and counseling at all well-child visits during a baby’s first six months. Questions and conversation prompts cover the infant’s sleep position, location, and environment. 

The interactive online course allows learners to apply their knowledge to different scenarios and get feedback on their responses. They’re also prompted to review charts from 25 well-child visits and identify whether adequate screening and counseling took place, helping them understand strengths and weaknesses in their own routines. What’s more, the course is free to all members of the AAP. 

A Steady Presence for Safe Sleep 

More than 600 people have registered for the course since its February release. In addition to the obvious benefits to infants and families, it provides clinicians with three continuing medical education credits, three American Board of Pediatrics Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Part II credits, and 25 MOC Part IV credits.  

The course has been in the works for several years, but it ended up coming out at a particularly timely moment: Federal cuts in the spring eliminated the government office responsible for the Safe to Sleep campaign, which originated with the 1992 AAP Task Force on SIDS. Without this national public health campaign, the role of pediatricians in promoting safe sleep practices is more critical than ever. 

The AAP is activating and empowering pediatricians at a vital moment. There’s no doubt this course will save lives, all thanks to your generous donations.