SIDS Guidelines and Prevention
SIDS
What is SIDS?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant. SIDS occurs between the ages of 1 month and 1 year. Although doctors do not yet understand what causes it, they have found risk factors that increase the risk of SIDS. Parents who are careful to avoid these risk factors, have a lower chance that their baby will die from SIDS.
How Can I Prevent SIDS?
SIDS is not 100% preventable. However, parents who are careful to avoid the risk factors for SIDS have a lower chance that their baby will die from it.
What are the Risk Factors for SIDS?
At this point it is known that the following factors increase the risk of SIDS. It is important to avoid these risk factors to help decrease the chance of SIDS.
Sleeping on Stomach
Babies who sleep on their stomachs are at a much higher risk for SIDS. One of the best ways to prevent SIDS is to place babies on their backs to sleep. Even sleeping on their sides could be dangerous since an infant may fall forward onto their stomach while they are sleeping. Back to Sleep is an easy way to remember the safest way for baby to sleep to help prevent SIDS.
Risks:
On their stomach, a baby is more likely to have apnea. They are also more likely to overheat, and rebreathe the carbon dioxide that they breathe out. All of these symptoms are linked to death by SIDS.
Concerns:
Some mothers find that their babies cry more and wake more easily while on their backs. This is often true, but if baby sleeps on his back from the very beginning, he will most likely adapt quickly. Plus the consequence of a higher risk of SIDS is not worth putting a baby to sleep on her stomach.
Mothers also worry about flat spots forming on their baby's head. Flat spots are common and will usually go away after a baby starts sitting up. To prevent flat spots, make sure to give baby lots of time on his stomach during the day where you can watch him. Tummy time also helps strengthen his neck and back muscles. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about decreasing the chance of flat spots on baby’s head.
Another worry is that babies are more likely to choke on vomit on their backs. Studies show that babies are no more likely to choke on their backs than on their stomachs.
Soft Bedding
Having blankets, extra bedding, pillows, and stuffed animals in the crib greatly increases the risk of suffocation or death by SIDS. Babies should sleep on a firm, flat mattress. Babies should not sleep in an adult bed, a waterbed, or on comforters, sofas, or chairs.
Risks:
The risks are due to soft bedding that can cause accidental suffocation. DO NOT cover baby's head with a blanket.
Concerns:
Mothers worry that their babies will get too cold during the night. Try dressing your baby in a sleeper to avoid using blankets.
Cosleeping
Having the baby sleep in bed with parents puts him at greater risk of death by SIDS.
Risks:
Pillows, comforters, and blankets in an adult bed pose the same risks as discussed above. There is also a chance that baby could fall into spaces between the bed and headboard or footboard. A parent can bring baby into bed to feed, to cuddle, and to play. But a baby should never share a sleep surface with an adult. They should have a separate sleep surface.
Parents who smoke, or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol are often not able to respond if the baby is in danger.
Although sleeping in the same bed is not a good idea, sleeping in the same room as your baby may be associated with a lower chance of death by SIDS. It also helps to make breastfeeding more successful.
Concerns:
If you really feel the need to sleep with your baby, make sure that he is sleeping on his back, that the mattress is firm and flat, and that all bedding is kept away from baby. Cosleeping has been shown to help make breastfeeding more successful. Some feel that it is possible to safely cosleep. For more information on cosleeping and making it as safe as possible click on this link:
Kids Health—http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/sleep/cosleeping.html
Always check with your doctor about questions and concerns you may have on this or any other subject.
General Sickness, Low Birth Weight, Premature Birth
Babies who are born early or who have a low weight at birth are more at risk of SIDS. Also, a baby who is has health problems after birth has increased risk of having SIDS.
Risks:
A weakened immune system can put baby at higher risk of SIDS.
Concerns:
Taking care of your baby should be your first priority. Make sure to have regular health checkups with your healthcare provider. Also, be sure to get baby properly immunized at the right times. Additionally, breastfeeding has been shown to be extremely beneficial to baby. If possible, try to breastfeed exclusively. Breastfeeding gives baby the nutrients they need to keep her healthy. Breastfeeding can also reduce the risk of SIDS.
Lack of Pacifier
Pacifiers have been shown to significantly decrease the risk of death by SIDS.
Risks:
Doctors do not understand exactly why sleeping with a pacifier provides protection. But if a baby consistently sleeps with a pacifier, there is much less risk.
Concerns:
Pacifier use has been linked to more problems with breastfeeding. If you choose to breastfeed it is recommended to wait until breastfeeding is going well before using a pacifier. This may be 4-6 weeks after birth. Then only use a pacifier when baby is going to sleep. When baby turns one year of age and there is no longer the risk of SIDS a pacifier is no longer needed.
Overheating
Research has been done that shows a link between a higher temperature and SIDS.
Risks:
It's not understood why higher temperatures are linked to SIDS. Overheating can occur in a number of ways. Baby can overheat if baby has too many blankets, too much clothing, the room temperature is too high, or if his head is covered.
Concerns:
Mothers worry that their babies will get cold during the night. Try using a sleeper or other sleep clothes instead of using a lot of blankets.
Smoking
Babies born to mothers who smoke during or after pregnancy are almost three times as likely to have a baby die from SIDS.
Risks:
Smoking during pregnancy brings toxins to the baby. Smoking after pregnancy also puts baby at a higher risk for breathing problems and SIDS.
Concerns:
Mothers or other family members may feel they cannot quit smoking. There are many resources to help you quit—especially for pregnant or new moms! There is never a better time to quit than when you or someone in your family is having a baby.
Links About SIDS
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
American Academy of Pediatrics—http://www.healthychildcare.org/Revised%20SIDS.pdf
American Academy of Pediatrics—http://www.healthychildcare.org/section_SIDS.cfm
American SIDS Institute—http://sids.org/nfeaturedques.htm
Center for Disease Control and Prevention—http://www.cdc.gov/SIDS/riskfactors.htm
First Candle SIDS Alliance—http://www.firstcandle.org/expectantparents/exp_reduce_qa.html
Kids Health—http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sleep/sids.html
National Institutes of Health— http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Sudden_Infant_Death_Syndrome.cfm
MedlinePlus—http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/suddeninfantdeathsyndrome.html
National SIDS/Infant Death Resource Center—http://www.sidscenter.org/
Reducing the Risk of SIDS
American Academy of Pediatrics
English Version— http://www.healthychildcare.org/PPT/SIDSfinal.ppt#256,1,REDUCING%20THE%20RISK%20OF%20%20SIDSAmerican Academy of Pediatrics
Spanish Version—http://www.healthychildcare.org/PPT/SIDSfinalSpanish.ppt
