REFERENCE: Duthie, E.A., (2020) In-Hospital Newborn Falls Associated With a Sleeping Parent: The Case for a New Paradigm. Hospital Pediatrics Nov 2020, hpeds.2020-0112; DOI: 10.1542/hpeds.2020-0112

ABSTRACT: A newborn fall to the floor from a sleeping parent’s arms in the immediate postpartum period may result in a skull fracture, head bleed, and transfer to the NICU for observation. These harmful consequences galvanized frontline clinicians to prevent these tragic accidents, but, a decade later, they continue at a stubbornly low, persistent level. In this article, I suggest that a misunderstanding of sleep science may be a barrier to effective interventions. The science of sleep is presented to inform a new paradigm that would have greater potential of eliminating dangerous newborn falls.