How to Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Certainly the greatest fear of any parent is the sudden death of their baby, also known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS. What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and what you can do to lower the risk for your infant.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is the sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant during sleep. It is the leading cause of death for children from one month to one year of age and is also known as “crib death” or “cot death”.
7 Tips to help reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
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Check the Baby’s Crib Start with the baby crib.
Be sure it has a firm mattress that is covered with a fitted sheet. Do not use a pillow in the crib, and remove any soft or fluffy bedding as well as stuffed toys.
Thick cloth bumpers or any material that restricts airflow in the crib is not recommended.
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Dress the Baby in Light Clothing
Dress your baby in light clothing so she does not overheat. Sleep sacks are a safe and comfortable way to dress your baby for sleep, usually eliminating the need for additional blankets.
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Keep the Room at a Moderate Temperature
Keep the room temperature at a moderate setting that is comfortable for you. Watch the baby for signs of sweating or overheating, which may increase the risk of breathing difficulties.
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Give the Baby a Pacifier
Consider giving your child a pacifier in the crib. Studies have shown that pacifier use is linked to a reduction in SIDS. Do not force your baby to take the pacifier but offer it gently.
If you are breastfeeding, you may wish to wait to offer the pacifier until after the baby is one month old to reduce the chance of nipple confusion.
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Put the Baby to Sleep on Her Back
Always place the baby to sleep on her back even for short naps. Make sure the baby’s head and face are uncovered while sleeping.
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Maintain a Smoke-Free Environment
Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of sudden infant death so be sure to maintain a smoke-free environment in your home.
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Ensure that all Care-Takers of your Baby Understand and Adhere to these Tips
Lastly, be sure that anyone who cares for your baby understands about putting the baby to sleep on her back and the other steps I have outlined above. Following these recommendations should help you sleep easier, too.
Following these tips will help lower the risk for Sudden Infant Death Sydrome.
Oded Preis MD Neonatology www.DrMDK.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Video memorial of our son (Aug 1, 2008 to Nov 13, 2008). God gave us an angel and we were blessed. We hope this memorial video will encourage you to treasure every single moment you spend with your loved ones and encourage a deeper walk with Christ, so that we all may enjoy the glory God has in store for us in the place where Nathan dwells. “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” What a message John shares with us from scripture. Feel free to visit the Nathan Michael King Foundation website as we continue to develop it at www.nmksids.org Thank you so much for taking the time to watch the video. It is quite an honor to present our blessing to people. Nathan has and continues to have such an impact on people’s live’s. We were so blessed that God sent us such a beautiful angel. We are also blessed that our son continues to bring people closer to Christ even in his absense. I recall the verse Isaiah 11:6 “…and a child will lead them.” Nathan, of Hebrew origin, meaning “God has Given”, the son of King David, and prophet of God. What an honor, God gave us, to care for Nathan, present him to others, so that they may see God’s strength, power, mercy and grace through us. (All images and video can only be used at the sole permission from the King family. All music belongs to it’s artist and/or affiliates)
A brief video promoting widespread knowledge of SIDS and the steps to take to prevent the fatal syndrome. Features links to various sites with SIDS information, including SIDS Educational Services, created and run by South of Nowhere star Gabrielle Christian’s mother, Joani Nelson Horchler
I LOVE baby sleep sacks! My 7 week newborn wears a Merino Kids sleepsack that I was given at my baby shower. The bag is made of super fine merino and will take him all the way through to 2 years, at which time I’ll upgrade to the larger size. By having him in a bag I don’t need to worry about SIDS related problems that arise from the excessive layering of blankets in his moses basket.
I highly recommend trying a sleep sack out for your little one!
Follow my journey into raising a baby using all natural products on http://mynaturalbaby.wordpress.com/ and on Twitter – mynaturalbaby.
Hello and welcome, Lucy!
I love your blog! What a cute little guy you have…
Yes, here they call the sacks “Puk sacks” (I should google that, huh…), and I loved them. The best is that you really do not need to squeeze, shove and prod them into clothing and they have the opitmal tactile connections to themselves, for example letting bare-foot touch bare-foot.
I believe this possibility for touch cannot be stressed enough, less we raise up a new generation of people even more distracted and disconnected with themselves, thier feelings, thier surroundings.
Thanks for dropping by, Lucy. Hope to read more from you soon!
I use the Halo SleepSack brand. These are the ones that they’re using now in the hospitals and they highlight the SIDS safety features on the packet. There are so many wearable blanket products on the market and the scary thing is that some of them are really unsafe. Make sure that your wearable blanket is sleeveless, has an inverted zipper and no buttons or strings that could be a choking hazard. Don’t be fooled into thinking that any wearable blanket is going to protect your child from SIDS.
7 Tips to Help Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome http://ow.ly/l1YR #SIDS: sudden & unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant.
This comment was originally posted on Twitter