Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – a parent’s worst nightmare – is the leading cause of death for babies 1 to 12 months of age . It is not a disease or a virus, but a diagnosis given when there is no apparent cause for the sudden death of a child under the age of one.
As the name implies, sudden infant death is sudden and comes unannounced. An apparently healthy baby may suddenly succumb to the syndrome. Even with years of research, it remains unpredictable. Uncertainty and lack of answers is what makes it so frightening for parents. Before nighttime worry prevents you from sleeping, know that there are things you can do to reduce the risk of sudden infant death .
10 recommendations to reduce the risk of sudden infant death
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), these recommendations have led to a 50% reduction in sudden death cases in the United States:
- Your baby should sleep on his back
This is vital, and it must happen all the time. If you are concerned about asphyxia, be aware that it is very rare. Healthy babies tend to automatically swallow or expel fluids. However, if your baby suffers from chronic GI reflux or an upper airway malformation, talk to your doctor about the best position for your baby to sleep . When your baby is able to roll over, which is around 6 months, let her choose her sleeping position. - Your baby should sleep in a firm bed with no toys or bedding
Always place your baby on a firm mattress and avoid pillows, quilts, pillows or stuffed animals. These items can make it difficult for your baby to breathe. - Keep your baby away from cigarette smoke
This is also true for pregnant women. Smoking during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death. - Your baby must sleep in their crib, but in the same room as you.
Your baby can stay in your bed while you care for or nurse him or her, but when he’s ready for bed, he should be placed in his crib next to you. - Breastfeed as much as you can
Studies have shown that breastfeeding can help reduce the risk of sudden infant death, specifically because of its protective agents, which fight respiratory and gastrointestinal infections (factors that contribute to SIDS).
- Immunize your baby
Recent evidence suggests that babies who are vaccinated have a 50% lower risk of sudden infant death. - If you are no longer breastfeeding, consider giving your baby a pacifier during sleep for the first year
The use of a pacifier reduces the risk of SIDS. However, there’s no need to take it to the extreme: if your baby’s pacifier falls out of her mouth after she falls asleep, you don’t need to put it back on. - Don’t let your baby get too hot
The room should be at a comfortable temperature – not too hot and not too cold. Make sure you dress him with just one layer of clothing. - DO NOT use products that claim to reduce the risk of sudden infant death
Products such as sleep positioners, specialty mattresses and sleeping mats have not been shown to reduce SIDS risks. - Do not offer honey to babies under one year of age
Honey can lead to botulism, which can be deadly in itself, but it also contains bacteria that have been linked to sudden infant death syndrome.
Although researchers still do not know the exact reason why the risk of sudden infant death is reduced after 6 months of age, it may be related to the baby’s physical development, more specifically to respiratory control, metabolism, sleep patterns and to physical abilities.
In fact, by the time your baby is able to roll over , which happens around that age, his brain will be mature enough to alert him to respiratory dangers, and as he has more physical control, he can free himself from certain dangerous sleeping positions. .
As can be seen, one of the best weapons against sudden infant death is for your baby to have control over her body and be able to roll from side to side. If he has the physical strength to change position, the possibility that he cannot breathe will be greatly reduced.