Inspira Health Network

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has good news for parents who like to keep their infants close by at night. Babies should now sleep in their parents' bedrooms — in their own cribs — for the first six months to one year of life, according to the group's recently updated guidelines. Better Together The AAP released this new safe-sleeping recommendation in an effort to reduce sleep-related infant deaths, which occur as a result of accidental strangulation and suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), a condition that is often unexplainable. "The best way to reduce the chances of these deaths is for parents and caregivers to put babies to bed in the safest way possible," said Anthony Mishik, M.D., chair of pediatrics at Inspira Medical Center Woodbury. "The AAP has found that room sharing for at least the first six months can decrease the risk of SIDS by as much as 50 percent." In addition to sleeping in the same room, AAP recommends parents have babies sleep: • In a crib approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission • On a firm mattress covered with a fitted sheet and no loose bedding, toys or stuffed animals • On their backs Parents can also help reduce the risk of SIDS by keeping babies from overheating as they sleep, according to AAP. Are parenting questions keeping you awake? Sign up for one of the upcoming childbirth or parenting classes at Inspira Health Network. See the calendar for details. Sleeping When life gets busy, spending time with friends may seem like a luxury, an extra activity that you squeeze into your calendar as time allows. But making an effort to catch up with people who love and support you is essential to a healthy life. Why Friendship Matters According to the American Psychological Association, lack of support and social isolation may be associated with a variety of health complications, including: • cardiovascular disease • cognitive decline • depression • high blood pressure • lowered immunity On the flip side, friends help you cope and deal with stress when the going gets tough. As a result of that lowered stress, friends can indirectly keep you healthy and in good mental health for a very long life. One study published in the journal PLoS Medicine found that strong social networks increased the likelihood of survival by 50 percent, which, according to Harvard Medical School, is equivalent to the gains a smoker receives after giving up 15 cigarettes a day. If you are looking for a way to make new friends, consider volunteering during your free time or taking classes to learn skills or hobbies that interest you. In search of a new social network? Come to one of Inspira's Spirit of Women Events! See calendar for details. How Friends Boost Your Well-being Surrounding yourself with a network of support keeps you healthy at every age. Like A Baby

• Cover