SIDS Prevention – Thirteen Tips

SIDS is NOT just something that happens to other people, and it is largely preventable.

Learning about the causes of SIDS and recognized safe sleep practices can go a long way toward preventing tragedy…

What is SIDS?

SIDS (or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is the sudden death of an infant, less than one year of age, that remains unexplained after a full post-mortem investigation. In the US it occurs in about 1 in 1,000 babies. Most cases occur between the ages of two and four months. For unknown reasons, SIDS is higher in men than in women by a ratio of 1.5 to 1.0.

What causes SIDS?

SIDS appears to be a combination of many factors: immature development of cardiorespiratory control mechanisms, failure to awaken from sleep in response to respiratory distress, medical conditions that compromised breathing, and unsafe sleep practices. SIDS researchers now also believe that many SIDS deaths are attributable to asphyxia rather than a faulty physiological or neurological response by the infant. Suffocation occurs when the baby breathes in and rebreaths the same air until the oxygen in the air is depleted.

SIDS prevention

1. Place your baby on their back to sleep, every time they sleep, unless otherwise directed by your pediatrician. Babies who sleep on their backs wake up more easily; have less chance of overheating; breathe more oxygen and are less likely to suffocate.

2. If possible, breastfeed your baby. Breastfed babies have up to three times lower SIDS rates.

3. Do not smoke during pregnancy and keep your baby’s environment smoke-free. Studies show that exposure to smoking at least doubles the risk of SIDS.

4. Don’t let your baby get too hot. SIDS researchers believe that overheating may cause some babies’ respiratory control centers to fail.

5. Make sure your baby cannot suffocate by making sure the baby’s nose and mouth are not obstructed by bedding or objects such as stuffed toys.

6. Prepare the baby’s crib in accordance with safe sleeping practices.

* Place the baby’s feet at the foot of the crib so that he cannot get under the covers.

* Covers should not reach higher than baby’s chest.

* Use a thin blanket. Soft crib bedding can suffocate babies.

* Tuck the blanket well on both sides of the crib under the crib mattress.

* Remove comforters, stuffed animals, pillows, quilts, and other bedding from the baby’s crib.

*Use a clean, firm, fitted crib mattress and fitted sheet, preferably organic.

* Crib bumpers are not recommended.

7. Make sure there is a good flow of fresh air. Open a window or keep the door partially open.

8. Use a crib that meets current safety standards, preferably organic. Chemicals released by wood coatings and finishes are considered among the possible causes of SIDS.

9. Wear an apnea monitor.

10. If possible, let the baby sleep in the parents’ room for the first year. For unknown reasons, a baby’s proximity to its parent during sleep has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. (Please note that the baby should NOT be placed IN the parent’s bed due to the risk of suffocation).

11. Consider offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime. Research now indicates an association between pacifier use and reduced risk of SIDS.

12. Don’t rush your baby to sleep through the night. Babies who are trained to sleep through the night, before they are physically ready, are at increased risk for SIDS.

13.Make sure other people who care for the baby (childcare provider, relative, friend, babysitter) know about these SIDS prevention measures.