SIDS
SIDS - Also known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is "The sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger that one year old." The cause of this sudden unexplainable illness is still under severe scrutiny as there is not a definite answer at this time. Although a direct cause is not yet identified tests have found certain factors that may have an influence on the occurrence of this illness. Some risk factors include the baby sleeping in the prone position (on stomach), sleep apnea and second-hand smoke to name a few. Now here are some simple solutions that parents can utilize to reduce their chance's of losing a child to SIDS.
Precautions
As this illness is usually associated with sleep there are actions that can be taken to avoid it including but not limited to:
-Removing all excess blankets and pillows from the infant's crib.
-Use snug, fitted sleeping clothes for the infant.
-Use a form fitted sheet on a firm plain mattress.
-Do NOT sleep in the same bed as the infant.
-Put a fan in the infants room to support proper air circulation.
-Removing all excess blankets and pillows from the infant's crib.
-Use snug, fitted sleeping clothes for the infant.
-Use a form fitted sheet on a firm plain mattress.
-Do NOT sleep in the same bed as the infant.
-Put a fan in the infants room to support proper air circulation.
Myth's/Rumor's
SIDS is NOT caused by:
-Child Abuse
-Vomiting/Choking
-Other Minor Illness's
-Vaccinations/Immunizations
Co-sleeping: According to the CDC rates of SIDS have dropped 50% since 1990 but are still disproportionally higher for minority children. One speculated cause of this is the belief by many parents that co-sleeping with your child in the same bed is safer than if they were alone in their crib. Though this is a popular belief it is also inaccurate and is believed to contribute to higher rates of SIDS in infants. Sleeping in the same bed with your infant can also increase the risk of suffocation as well as crushing your baby by rolling onto them.
To recap SIDS is a serious medical malady that we still have limited understanding of, but we have found certain precautions that can be taken that have been shown to effectively negate the occurrence of this illness. Following the guidelines discussed above as well as making sure that they sleep on their backs and not on their front will hopefully help to lower the number of deaths related to SIDS which has risen very recently, solidifying the importance of proper education for parents and expecting parents.
-Child Abuse
-Vomiting/Choking
-Other Minor Illness's
-Vaccinations/Immunizations
Co-sleeping: According to the CDC rates of SIDS have dropped 50% since 1990 but are still disproportionally higher for minority children. One speculated cause of this is the belief by many parents that co-sleeping with your child in the same bed is safer than if they were alone in their crib. Though this is a popular belief it is also inaccurate and is believed to contribute to higher rates of SIDS in infants. Sleeping in the same bed with your infant can also increase the risk of suffocation as well as crushing your baby by rolling onto them.
To recap SIDS is a serious medical malady that we still have limited understanding of, but we have found certain precautions that can be taken that have been shown to effectively negate the occurrence of this illness. Following the guidelines discussed above as well as making sure that they sleep on their backs and not on their front will hopefully help to lower the number of deaths related to SIDS which has risen very recently, solidifying the importance of proper education for parents and expecting parents.