February 26, 2014
Pepi Pod experiences helping cut infant deaths
An evaluation of pepi pods has concluded the sleep spaces offered to families of vulnerable babies are helping to reduce infant deaths.
Programme director Stephanie Cowan says it’s a simple idea but it is rated highly by parents using the pods.
The area with the most concentrated supply of Pepi-Pod sleep spaces in New Zealand is Midland, which also has the highest proportion of Maori births, at 43 percent of the total.
Last year infant deaths from all causes here dropped from 61 to 51.
Ms Cowan says while many factors other than to Pepi-Pod Programme have contributed to the fall in deaths, it helps parents to provide safe sleep for their babies within the context of their social and cultural norms.
Maori infants are more at risk of sudden infant death because of factors like exposure to smoking in pregnancy and sleeping with parents.
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