Paranoid about SIDS - just a new mom thing or unhealthy fear

Dumbgurl04 · January 2015

Sooo it seems like the past couple of weeks I have just seen countless stories or articles on my facebook feed or a news story on Yahoo about SIDS. I'm not trying to search this stuff out it just seems to pop up. I'm feeling completely paranoid about SIDS. When LO is sleeping I will take moments to just look at her and make sure she is still breathing. I havn't gotton to the point where I'm getting up in the middle of the night to check on her but there are times were I might lay there and think I should be checking on her but I feel that will just make me go even crazier. I'm doing everything with the safe sleep but I know that doesn't 100% gurantee the prevention of SIDS happening but man I feel so paranoid about it. I don't think that this could be part of postpartum because I feel good it just seems I have the normal bady blues from time to time, but man I can not get this paranoid fear out of my head. I mean I'm sure it's common to have the idea in the back of your head at all times but it just feels like that is the biggest thing I always think about when it comes to my LO. Anyone else dealing with this or know of a way to calm the fears a little bit

missnacholover · January 2015

Yes. However, my nephew died and it was SIDS. It never really crossed my radar before then and was one of those things that happens to other people.

I think all you can really do is take the proper precautions and do your best. I'm trying not to let it consume my life. I check on DD when I go to bed, get up at night to pee, etc. We follow the safe sleeping guidelines but I'm still hyper sensitive about it. It is hard not to be.

I think it's normal. Just try not to become obsessive.

jac409 · January 2015

I think this is a very normal fear. I was much more paranoid about it with my first LO. I still worry about it with this one, but not as much I guess. If it is really consuming you, I would definitely talk to a professional. You could have post-partum anxiety rather than depression.

morrkim · January 2015

That worry is always there for me, especially when they started sleeping longer. If I don't hear them for a while I will place my hand on their chest to make sure sometimes.

Jpinky9 · January 2015

I feel the same! LO is still in our room in the pnp next to my side of the bed and I find that I wake up every so often and just look at him and make sure he is still breathing! It's a real fear that I think most moms and parents have. I know at some point we will have to transition him to his crib in his own room and that does stress me out a little bit. We have a video monitor I am hoping that helps. But I completely understand your fear and anxiety!

KatieOz920 · January 2015

I'm terrified of it... My grandmother lost one of her sons to SIDS and her telling me about it has always stuck with me. Then to add to it, my LOs had bradycardia apnea up until just before they came home. I also have a Snuza for each of them- they wear it 24/7 now and when they hit 6months (adjusted for prematurity) they'll wear them just for naps and nighttime. I totally recommend getting one! it's the only reason I can get any sleep

I've gotten a few false alarms but not many... And there's a little light that flashed when they breath so I can check on them without waking them up.

soulcupcake · January 2015

Yep, and it's a normal fear. Due to being part of various stillbirth and infant loss support groups I know quite a few mamas that lost babies to SIDS.

I had really horrible anxiety and fear during the latter part of my pregnancy. The worry doesn't go away. I've thought about getting the Snuza for some peace of mind.

abbyful · January 2015

I'm a STM, I usually check on my 2-year-old once during the night even.

But yes, I worry about SIDS with my baby. We have the Snuza. I also try to do everything I've heard that reduces risk. Baby sleeps in our room, I breastfeed, keep the ceiling fan on, try to have her use a binky when asleep, etc.. Every time I wake up in the night, I make sure she's breathing.

Maelara · January 2015

I'm on my second baby and I'm just as paranoid as I was with the first. This time I have a Snuza monitor so I feel better about it.

MrsAdventure · January 2015

It think it's hard not to obcess over this to some degree. A dear friend of mine lost her 2 year old son to SIDS a few years a go. It was horrible. Especially because the police did this whole investigation thing where she was the prime suspect until they determined the cause of his death. It makes me sick just thinking about what she had to go through.

Once in a while I will get up and check on Pips. But I have to be careful. If I put my hand on her chest to see if she's breathing, she'll wake. I may look into investing in this Snuza thing that so many PP are talking about. Wonder if DH will be on board...

missnacholover · January 2015

MrsAdventure said:

It think it's hard not to obcess over this to some degree. A dear friend of mine lost her 2 year old son to SIDS a few years a go. It was horrible. Especially because the police did this whole investigation thing where she was the prime suspect until they determined the cause of his death. It makes me sick just thinking about what she had to go through.

Once in a while I will get up and check on Pips. But I have to be careful. If I put my hand on her chest to see if she's breathing, she'll wake. I may look into investing in this Snuza thing that so many PP are talking about. Wonder if DH will be on board...

Wow, two years old! That seems old for SIDS. I thought after a year the risk was pretty much gone. But I guess there are exceptions. So sad for your friend.

soulcupcake · January 2015

missnacholover said:

MrsAdventure said:

It think it's hard not to obcess over this to some degree. A dear friend of mine lost her 2 year old son to SIDS a few years a go. It was horrible. Especially because the police did this whole investigation thing where she was the prime suspect until they determined the cause of his death. It makes me sick just thinking about what she had to go through.

Once in a while I will get up and check on Pips. But I have to be careful. If I put my hand on her chest to see if she's breathing, she'll wake. I may look into investing in this Snuza thing that so many PP are talking about. Wonder if DH will be on board...

Wow, two years old! That seems old for SIDS. I thought after a year the risk was pretty much gone. But I guess there are exceptions. So sad for your friend.

After a year it is called SUDC (sudden unexplained death in childhood).

MrsAdventure · January 2015

I have no idea a why they ruled It as SIDS (I wasn't about to ask). It's scary stuff no natter what they call it, I suppose.

Dumbgurl04 · January 2015

Thanks ladies I'm glad I'm not the only one who has these feelings. I will for sure look into getting that Snuza sounds like it will give me some peace of mind.

ccam · January 2015

I still worry about this. I might not be as paranoid as I was with my first, but I'm definitely still paranoid. I even check on my 2 year old before I go to bed every night - he breathes so lightly that I put my hand on his belly to make sure he's breathing.

missnacholover · January 2015

MrsAdventure said:

I have no idea a why they ruled It as SIDS (I wasn't about to ask). It's scary stuff no natter what they call it, I suppose.

Yes, definitely. So sad.

klbyrnes · January 2015

I have this fear too and it is amplified by the fact that my neighbors smoke like chimneys. I know second hand smoke is another SIDS risk factor and while we don't smoke- our neighbors do. We live in a condo and the main wall of our kitchen, living room and bedrooms is the same main wall for their unit too. It's basically the only division between us and we smell smoke pretty regularly in our home. It's not everyday. It's not overwhelming but it's so close by it freaks me out. Especially because I can't do anything to control it. I've thought about asking them to stop smoking for the next 6 months or so but obviously I know how that will go over.

howin23 · January 2015

Wow, I hadn't even heard of Snuza. I had heard about the alarm pads but that they aren't recommended. We run a humidifier in LO's room because it's supposed to help reduce SIDS by circulating the air. Whenever I wake up I check the monitor to make sure her chest is rising and falling, so I don't have to go in and risk waking her up. Maybe I'll invest in a Snuza...

babye12514 · January 2015

We also have an angle care monitor and have had no false alarms. Gives you piece of mind and was only about $60

anlicsceadu · January 2015

I don't know if this will help anyone or not, but it's something that gave me comfort and piece of mind. I really had paranoia issues for about a month after Little Miss was born. The only way I got over it was through my faith. If you aren't religious, I'm not trying to push anything on you, so hopefully I don't offend anyone. It took me realizing that there is nothing I can do to stop SIDS. All I can really do is stop agonizing over it and give it up to God. I say a prayer for my daughters safety every night. I follow recommendations and just trust that God's Will be done. I find comfort in knowing that He's with her even when I can't be there for her. Just my thoughts on the matter.

jac409 · January 2015

anlicsceadu said:

I don't know if this will help anyone or not, but it's something that gave me comfort and piece of mind. I really had paranoia issues for about a month after Little Miss was born. The only way I got over it was through my faith. If you aren't religious, I'm not trying to push anything on you, so hopefully I don't offend anyone. It took me realizing that there is nothing I can do to stop SIDS. All I can really do is stop agonizing over it and give it up to God. I say a prayer for my daughters safety every night. I follow recommendations and just trust that God's Will be done. I find comfort in knowing that He's with her even when I can't be there for her. Just my thoughts on the matter.

I'm with you and I do the same! There is only so much you can do (safe sleeping recs), but God has to do the rest.

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