Tips to Protect Your Newborn From SIDS
Having a newborn is a joy and a blessing, but it also introduces you to a new world of fear and worry as you look after your precious one. From making sure you’re taking the right supplements throughout pregnancy to babyproofing your home, to worrying about your child’s health, there’s a lot to think about. Today we’re addressing the topic of SIDS – sudden infant death syndrome – to explain what it is, why it happens, and how to prevent it.
What is SIDS?
First, let’s define SIDS. As the name implies, it’s when a child dies suddenly and without reason. According to Dr. Deena Blanchard, a board certified pediatrician, SIDS typically occurs within the first six months with the highest risk being between ages two and four months. Before panicking, understand that SIDS occurs in less than one in 1000 births within the United States, or roughly 3500 cases per year.
“No one knows exactly what causes sudden infant death,” says Dr. Blanchard. However, she explains that research suggests that there are ties to “brain abnormalities, genetics and hazardous environmental factors.”
Tips to Prevent SIDS
Obviously, one cannot control their genetics. You do have some control over certain environmental factors, though.
“More than 95 percent of SIDS cases are associated with one or more risk factors, and in many cases, the risk factors are avoidable, such as the sleep environment,” says Dr. Blanchard. With her help, we’ve outlined six tips to reduce SIDS risk.
1. Don’t Smoke During Pregnancy: There are many reasons why you should not smoke – and avoid second hand smoke – while pregnant. Taking a step to prevent SIDS is a very big one.
2. Get Prenatal Care: It’s important that you have regular checkups with your prenatal physician. Dr. Blanchard says that a major risk factor for SIDS is getting no – or late – prenatal care.
3. Make Sure Your Infant Sleeps on Her Back: Infants sleeping on their stomachs is a SIDS risk factor. Always make sure your baby sleeps on her back. Try swaddling your baby tightly to prevent rolling.
4. Remove Loose Objects from the Crib: “An infant on a soft surface or with blanket pillows or other loose items in the crib is a risk factor,” says Dr. Blanchard. Make sure sheets are tucked in tightly and keep stuffed animals and toys outside of the crib.
5. Place Your Baby on a Firm, Breathable Mattress: A firm mattress will provide support, and a breathable mattress will prevent your baby from overheating. A room temperature of 68 – 72 is ideal.
6. Co-Sleep for the First Year: “Room-sharing, without bed-sharing, between parents and infants appears to reduce the risk of SIDS,” notes Dr. Blanchard. She says that research by the American Academy of Pediatrics points to a decrease in the risk of SIDS by up to 50% when co-sleeping on a separate surface.
Wendy Rose Gould is a writer based in Phoenix, Arizona. She covers women’s lifestyle topics for numerous digital publications, including InStyle, xoVain, Refinery29, Revelist, PopSugar and ModCloth. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram or at WendyGould.com
