Consistent Modeling of a Safe Sleep Environment:  An Empty Nest is Best!                                                                                   Abstract

Evidence based practice currently recommends the removal of all decorative items from an infant’s crib.  This is a difficult practice for both nurses and families to adopt, mainly for historical reasons—this is the way that we have always done it.  Implementing a program to better educate staff nurses regarding these behaviors should result in appropriate modeling of a safe crib environment for our smallest patients. 

Steps to success were identified during the planning process were:  education of staff, motivation, recognition and validation.  The objective of this presentation is to share our timeline to success, complete with the challenges that we faced. 

The theme for our project is “An Empty Nest is Best!” to remind both nursing and families of newborns that the best nest for a baby is one that is empty of all decorative items.  It is important for families to recognize that although stuffed animals, toys and fluffy bedding are cute, it is not the safest way to care for newborns. 

In conjunction with the conference theme, the lessons learned from this project help both nursing and families to connect the heart and science of caring, creating a safer sleep environment.