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Parents Concerned with SIDS
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is the leading cause of death in infants up to one year of age. Despite extensive research, doctors still don't have an answer to why this happens. But there are ways you can reduce the risk of your baby becoming one of the 2,500 babies who tragically and unexplainably die of SIDS each year.
Always remember the phrase, "Back to sleep." Babies should be placed on their backs when sleeping. Never put your baby on the side or tummy. This is just as important during daily naps as it is at bedtime.
Use a firm sleeping surface for your baby. Do not let your baby sleep on a sofa, water bed or adult bed. Your baby needs a firm crib mattress with a tightly fitted sheet to reduce the risk of SIDS. Soft objects should be kept out of the crib. This includes stuffed animals, comforters, pillows and quilts. Your baby is safest in a warm sleeping onesie and should not be covered in layers of blankets.
To prevent the possibility of SIDS, do not sleep with your baby. Instead, place the bassinet directly next to your bed. Be sure the mattress in the bassinet is firm. With the bassinet close by, you can nurse easily in the middle of the night and still feel close to your infant.
If your baby does not want a pacifier, do not keep trying to give it. If the pacifier falls out of your baby's mouth while he or she is sleeping, do not put the pacifier back in. It is best to keep your baby's airway completely free of obstruction when sleeping, including pacifiers.
Overheating has been tied to death by SIDS. Keep your baby comfortable, but never overdress your baby. Layers of clothes are too much for an infant. Your baby's room should be at a temperature that is comfortable to a lightly clothed adult.
Avoid commercial devices that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS. These have not been proven to prevent SIDS. They also have not been sufficiently tested for safety. Using a home nursery monitor does not reduce the risk of SIDS as well.
Do not keep your baby in car seats or bouncing seats for long periods of time. Keep your baby's head from flattening on one side by alternating the head position from left to right each week.
If you smoke while pregnant, your baby has a greater chance of dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It is further increased if your baby is exposed to smoke after birth. Remember to ask caretakers and others in your family to stay away from your baby if they smoke. If you have smokers in your family, tell them to smoke outside instead of in the house.
Be sure that everyone who watches your baby knows how to reduce the risk of SIDS. Sitters, care takers and day care workers should all be taught, "Back to Front" as well as the other ways to reduce the chances of SIDS
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DISCLAIMER:
All material provided by ParentMix is for information and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice and /or treatment. Consult your physician for information specific to your individual needs. If you are pregnant or if there is the possibility that you are pregnant, it is important that you get the advice from your physician before taking medications or supplements.
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