SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME
Did you know?
SIDS is the leading cause of death for children from 1 month to 1 year of age. The highest numbers of deaths occur between 2 to 4 months; 91 percent occur between 1 to 6 months of age.
The cause of SIDS is unknown but there are certain factors that are associated with an increased risk of SIDS.
Babies at risk for SIDS:
• Babies placed to sleep on their stomachs (prone)
• Babies exposed to cigarette smoke during pregnancy and after birth
• Babies who breathe second-hand smoke
• African-American and Native American babies
• Low birth-weight babies (less than 5 pounds)
• Premature babies (less than 37 weeks)
• Babies whose mothers are less than 18 years of age
• Babies born less than 18 months apart.
What can you do to prevent SIDS?
• Place your baby to sleep on his/her back (supine)
• Don’t smoke or let anyone else smoke around your baby
• Use a firm, flat mattress in a safety-approved crib with slats no more than 2-3/8 inches apart
• Don’t overheat your baby by over-dressing and bundling with clothing or blankets
• Keep room temperature between 68º F and 72º F
• Don’t use comforters, pillows, sheepskins, foam pads or stuffed animals around your baby
• Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or a recliner chair
• Don’t let your baby sleep on a waterbed, bean bag, sagging mattress, pile of clothes or on a plastic cover
• Never allow your other children or relatives to sleep with your baby
• Make sure your childcare provider places your baby on his/her back
• Breastfeed your baby: breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS!
If you are considering bed-sharing while breastfeeding your baby, make sure that you and your partner don’t have any of the following risk factors:
• Obesity (overweight): do not bed-share.
• Smoker: do not bed-share no matter where or when you smoke
• Alcohol or drug user: do not bed-share
• Heavy sleeper: do not bed-share
If you or your partner does have a risk factor then your baby should sleep alongside you but on a separate firm surface. This is, called “co-sleeping” (for example, you may bring the crib or bassinet into your bedroom beside your bed or use a special “co-sleeper” bed that attaches to your bed. Even if you don’t have any risk factors, this is the safest sleeping environment for your baby.
Pacifier use
Offer your baby a pacifier when you place him on his back to sleep. (Wait until he is one month old if you are breast feeding so there is no nipple confusion). There is less risk for SIDS if a pacifier is used. Do not dip the pacifier in anything sweet. Do not force the pacifier on your baby. If your baby spits it out, do not place it back in his mouth.
Tummy time
Give your baby “tummy time” when he is awake. While you are watching him, place him on his stomach (prone) on a firm surface for at least 5 minutes several times a day. This will help strengthen back and neck muscles and assist in normal development.
Get your baby fully immunized!
(All the recommended shots.)
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