Tips to help avoid SIDS

cloud9climber

Just thought I would post because Mrs. Ladd's thread reminded me that I have this info:

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Tips for Reducing the Risk of SIDSIn addition to placing healthy infants on their backs to sleep, the AAP suggests the following measures to help reduce the risk of SIDS:Place your baby on a firm mattress to sleep, never on a pillow, waterbed, sheepskin, or other soft surface. To prevent rebreathing, do not put blankets, comforters, stuffed toys, or pillows near the baby.Make sure your baby does not get too warm while sleeping. Keep the room at a temperature that feels comfortable for an adult in a short-sleeve shirt. Some researchers suggest that a baby who gets too warm could go into a deeper sleep, making it more difficult to awaken.Do not smoke, drink, or use drugs while pregnant and do not expose your baby to secondhand smoke. Infants of mothers who smoked during pregnancy are three times more likely to die of SIDS than those whose mothers were smoke-free; exposure to secondhand smoke doubles a baby's risk of SIDS. Researchers speculate that smoking might affect the central nervous system, starting prenatally and continuing after birth, which could place the baby at increased risk.Receive early and regular prenatal care.Make sure your baby has regular well-baby checkups.Breastfeed, if possible. There is some evidence that breastfeeding may help decrease the incidence of SIDS. The reason for this is not clear, though researchers think that breast milk may help protect babies from infections that increase the risk of SIDS.If your baby has GERD, be sure to follow your doctor's guidelines on feeding and sleep positions.Put your baby to sleep with a pacifier during the first year of life. If your baby rejects the pacifier, don't force it. Pacifiers have been linked with lower risk of SIDS. If you're breastfeeding, try to wait until after the baby is 1 month old so that breastfeeding can be established.While infants can be brought into a parent's bed for nursing or comforting, parents should return them to their cribs or bassinets when they're ready to sleep. It's a good idea to keep the cribs and bassinets in the room where parents' sleep. This has been linked with a lower risk of SIDS.For parents and families who have experienced a SIDS death, there are many groups, including the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Alliance, that provide grief counseling, support, and referrals. Growing public awareness of SIDS and the steps to reduce infants' risk of sudden death hopefully will leave fewer parents searching for answers in the future.Reviewed by:?Barbara P. Homeier, MD

Date reviewed: September 2005?

NoVaIrish

Thanks for sharing!

**Sissy**

This is all great info. 

There is also a recent study that came out in the last few weeks that says running a fan in the room that baby is sleeping in will help reduce the SIDS risk.  It helps circulate so they are breathing fresh and not rebreathing stale air.

ocean71506

Thanks for posting this.  I think I should give it to my in-laws so they can see how second hand smoke can effect the baby and maybe it will motivate them to quit~!

MayBride2B2007

thanks for the tips!

cloud9climber

Sissy - that's a new one! ?thanks for sharing! ?I'm so paranoid because more boys seems to die of this in the winter months and of course I'm having a boy in February. ?I'll be breaking out the fan for him!

Ocean - so important that your inlaws not smoke around your baby! ?Hope you can convince them!! ?GL! ?

SeminoleJessica

thanks for posting cloud!

nursekatie47

Thanks for sharing!!

~Katie~

mmcrocker

Thanks for posting!

books4brooke

Also remember that the risk of SIDS is very low.  I am so paranoid, and I have to remember that the risk is less than .1% and even lower if you follow the above tips. 

I asked my ped about the age of highest risk, and she said between 2-4 months.  And 95% of cases occur before 6 months of age.

synergy60

great info, thanks.

cloud9climber

books4brooke:

Also remember that the risk of SIDS is very low.? I am so paranoid, and I have to remember that the risk is less than .1% and even lower if you follow the above tips.?

I asked my ped about the age of highest risk, and she said between 2-4 months.? And 95% of cases occur before 6 months of age.

?

good to know... thanks brooke! ?

TheEnglishgirl

Thank you for sharing.

aprilinva

Thank you for sharing!