Southern Sleep Space Programme

What is the Te Whatu Ora Southern Sleep Space Programme?

The Te Whatu Ora Southern Sleep Space Programme is a coordinated approach to delivering infant public health services, including safe sleep, smokefree, breastfeeding, immunisation and gentle handling, to those most at risk of experiencing Sudden Unexpected Death of an Infant (SUDI). There are three core elements to delivery:

1. Infant health education
2. Portable sleep space
3. Spread of safe sleep awareness messages through a partnership relationship

The three programme components are essential. They facilitate engagement with priority families, offer a free sleep space and promote a partnership relationship and shared responsibility for protecting the region’s more vulnerable infants.

The Te Whatu Ora Southern Sleep Space Programme is co-ordinated by the National Public Health Service – Southern.

Two types of sleep spaces are offered; Pepi-pods and wahakura. For more information on:

• Pēpi-Pods, visit Pepi-pod® Sleep Space Programme website
• Wahakura, visit Hāpai SUDI Prevention Coordination Service Ngā Whenu O Te Wahakura 

How are Sleep Spaces Distributed?

Local agencies with contracts to support pregnancy and/or new-borns distribute the sleep spaces and collect programme data. Their staff undergo programme-specific distributor training.

If your organisation would be interested in becoming a Sleep Space distributor, please email: pepi-pods@southerndhb.govt.nz

Who is Eligible for a Te Whatu Ora Southern Sleep Space?

Eligibility for the Te Whatu Ora Southern Sleep Space Programme is based on evidence of increased risk of SUDI. Referrals are encouraged for whānau and babies who meet one or more of the following criteria:

Baby

• Low birth weight (under 2500g)
• Premature (less than 37 weeks)
• Māori or Pasifika descent
• Smoke-exposed – Before, during and after pregnancy

Parent

• Multiple pregnancy
• Under 25 years
• Had a previous SUDI event

Other

• Regular use of alcohol or drugs in the household
• Low maternal support
• No sleep space for baby
• Bed sharing
• Housing related
• Minimal or no antenatal care

Note: Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis

Who can Refer a Whānau or Baby for a sleep space?

Any agency or individual may refer whānau and infants for a sleep space if they meet the Te Whatu Ora Southern Sleep Space Programme criteria. It is also possible for families to refer themselves for a sleep space.

How to Make a Referral?

To make a referral please fill in the Sleep Space Assessment (grey half) of the Southern Sleep Space Programme form and send through to pepi-pods@southerndhb.govt.nz

What is Available for Whānau who do not Meet the Sleep Space Criteria?

Where families do not meet programme criteria there is the option of buying a sleep space privately. Otherwise, bassinets are available at no cost to Dunedin residents from Pregnancy Help Dunedin 03 455 5892 and to Invercargill residents from Jubilee Budget Advisory Service 03 214 0942.