TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2013//
TI  - An evaluation of portable sleeping spaces for babies following the Christchurch earthquake of February 2011
JO  - Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
A1  - Cowan, Stephanie
A1  - Bennett, Sharon
A1  - Clarke, Judith
A1  - Pease, Anna
SP  - 364
EP  - 368
VL  - 49
IS  - 5
N2  - AIM: To describe how recipients of portable sleeping spaces (PSSs) for babies received and used these devices, offered as emergency baby beds in earthquake-ravaged Christchurch, New Zealand, 2011. METHOD: The PSS package responded to increased risk to babies from disrupted living and sleeping conditions in families. 'Door-to-door' distribution offered easy access to those in need. A subgroup of recipients gave feedback via a survey. RESULTS: From 642 families who received PSSs between March and August, 139 were invited to complete a survey on usage and 100 (72%) responded. Risks identified were 'earthquake related' (82%), bed-sharing (41%), smoking in pregnancy (26%) and prematurity or low birthweight (11%). PSSs were used for same-bed co-sleeping by 87%. They were used even though most families (96%) also had a cot or bassinet. Features most appreciated were 'having baby close' (90%), 'peace of mind' (88%) and portability (74%). CONCLUSION: PSSs were acceptable to parents and used as instructed. Enabling physical protection of babies when same-bed co-sleeping, they gave peace of mind to parents. PSSs could be considered in ordinary times for protecting babies from sudden infant death.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1034-4810
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpc.12196
ID  - ref1
ER  -