The Ministry of Health advised parents and caregivers on Mar. 22 to take extra precautions when caring for newborns, especially during sleep, to prevent the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death.
This guidance is important because sudden infant death can occur without warning in apparently healthy babies, most often during sleep. The Ministry emphasized that careful attention to sleeping positions and the baby’s environment can help reduce these risks.
Dr. Carmen Dávila Aliaga, a neonatologist at the National Maternal Perinatal Institute of the Ministry of Health, said that sudden infant death in infants usually happens within the first year of life with no prior evident cause. “That is why it is called sudden death, because it occurs from one moment to another in a child who apparently is healthy and does not suffer from a recognized disease such as heart disease, neurological problems or others,” Dávila Aliaga said.
Dávila Aliaga also said that sleeping position is the most important preventive factor against sudden infant death. She warned that placing babies face down on soft surfaces can lead to accidental suffocation by blocking their airways. “Every newborn baby should sleep on their back and, in some circumstances and under supervision, on their side. But never face down,” she said.
The Ministry recommends several measures: always place babies on their backs to sleep; keep stuffed animals or toys away from the baby’s head; avoid using long bedding or heavy clothing that could cover the baby’s face; keep the baby cool with light clothing; monitor room temperature; and have babies sleep in a crib or bassinet to prevent accidents caused by crushing.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to providing comprehensive care for Peruvian families from birth onward and urged parents to remain vigilant throughout their child’s first year. In case of emergency, families are encouraged to call 113 or go to the nearest health center.
