Although taking the right precautions doesn't always guarantee that your child will be protected from SIDS, recent research is revealing more ways than ever to reduce his risk. Here are expert-approved methods to prevent SIDS in your baby. Back-sleeping increases a baby's access to fresh air and makes her less likely to get overheated another factor linked to SIDS.
But not all new parents are getting the message: Eighteen percent of Parents readers say they usually put their infants to sleep on their stomach, and another 13 percent do so some of the time. That's because infants who normally sleep on their back are 18 times more likely to die of SIDS when placed down on their tummy for a snooze.
Keep in mind, however, that your baby should still have several supervised "tummy time" sessions every day. This helps the baby's development, and it also prevents flat spots on his head from sleeping on his back. Studies show that putting a baby down on her side rather than on her back doubles the SIDS risk. Blankets, pillows, comforters, and stuffed toys can hinder your child's breathing; even soft or improperly fitting mattresses can be dangerous. If you're worried that your little one may get chilly, swaddle her in a receiving blanket or use a sleep sack.
According to a Belgian study, swaddling helps fussy infants sleep better on their back and may protect them from SIDS by causing them to startle more easily. Make sure you don't overheat your baby with swaddling or high room temperature.
That might be because the warm baby falls into such a deep sleep that it is difficult for him to awaken if he is in trouble. Set the thermostat at 68 degrees, don't put the crib near a radiator, and dress your child in light layers that you can remove easily if she gets hot. While co-sleeping in bed, your infant could be suffocated by a pillow or a loose blanket. His air supply may be cut off if you or your spouse inadvertently rolls over onto him.
And he could be strangled if his head gets trapped between the headboard and mattress. The same dangers occur with co-sleeping on a couch or an armchair. Despite numerous studies that confirm the heightened SIDS risk caused by co-sleeping, many moms continue to do it.
According to a parents. If you decide to co sleep, don't put your baby right in the bed. The best bet might be simply moving your baby's crib into your room. Your little one should be able to move around and squirm while sleeping. He advises parents to avoid super-narrow bassinets and other small beds. To prevent your baby wriggling down under the covers, place them in the "feet to foot" position.
This means their feet are at the end of the crib, cot or moses basket. Overheating can increase the risk of SIDS. Babies can overheat because of too much bedding or clothing, or because the room is too hot. The safest place for your baby to sleep for the first 6 months is in a cot in the same room as you.
It's especially important not to share a bed with your baby if you or your partner:. As well as a higher risk of SIDS, there's also a risk you might roll over in your sleep and suffocate your baby. Your baby could also get caught between the wall and the bed, or roll out of an adult bed and be injured.
It's lovely to have your baby with you for a cuddle or a feed, but sleeping with your baby on a sofa or armchair is linked to a higher risk of SIDS. It's safest to put your baby back in their cot before you go to sleep. Babies exposed to cigarette smoke before and after birth are at an increased risk of SIDS.
Do not let anyone smoke in the house, including visitors. Ask anyone who needs to smoke to go outside. Do not take your baby into smoky places. If you smoke, sharing a bed with your baby increases the risk of cot death. Get help and support if you want to quit smoking.
It's possible using a dummy at the start of a sleep also reduces the risk of SIDS. But the evidence is not strong and not all experts agree that dummies should be promoted. If you do use a dummy, do not start until breastfeeding is well established. This is usually when your baby is around 1 month old. Roughly 1, deaths were attributed to SIDS in Most of these deaths occurred between the ages of one and six months. While its specific cause is largely unknown, parents can reduce the risk of SIDS by preparing and maintaining a safe sleeping area for their infant.
Read on to learn more about SIDS and how you can ensure the utmost safety for your sleeping infant. Some SIDS risks are suspected, but have not been studied extensively enough to draw a firm conclusion. For instance, studies have identified poor bedroom ventilation as a potential risk factor for SIDS, but more research is needed regarding this topic. Other risk factors have been largely debunked. One prominent example is vaccines. Many infants receive several vaccines within the first six months of their life, when SIDS is most likely to occur.
A wave of SIDS deaths occurred in the late s, and at the time some suspected the deaths were related to the diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-pertussis vaccine. However, subsequent studies note there is no relationship between SIDS and any vaccines. The campaign was based on a recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP , which stated infants were safest while sleeping on their back or side.
This recommendation was later updated to state that only the back position was safe. In , infants died from SIDS per , live births. This number remained constant for several years, and then further declines were reported between and As of , the number of SIDS deaths per , live births has fallen below Some studies suggest the decrease in SIDS cases is related to the growing number of parents who place their infants in the back sleeping position.
However, SIDS remains the leading cause of death for infants between the ages of 28 days and one year. Furthermore, some statistical studies have found disparities between different racial and ethnic groups.
In surveys of mothers with varying racial and ethnic backgrounds, researchers have noted certain trends regarding co-sleeping with infants, placing infants on their backs for sleep, and the use of soft bedding in cribs. Socioeconomic factors may also be at play, as low-income families with more than one small child may resort to crib-sharing or bed-sharing in order to save space.
Historically, it was believed infants were at higher risk of SIDS during colder times of the year, but more recent statistics show SIDS deaths are distributed more evenly between hotter and colder months.
Furthermore, the U. According to current guidelines, infants should continue to be placed to sleep in the supine back position until they reach at least one year of age. Once an infant can roll from the prone stomach to supine back position and from the supine position to the prone position without assistance, the infant should be safe to sleep in any position they prefer.
There is a persistent belief among U. However, the AAP states there is no evidence the side position is more beneficial in this regard. Parents should place their baby in the supine position as soon as the child can sleep in a crib or bassinet.
Skin-to-skin care is recommended from the time the mother awakes after giving birth until the infant is ready for a crib or bassinet. Many infants who die from SIDS do so without making noise or struggling. Therefore, a baby monitor — particularly one without video surveillance — may not alert you of hazardous situations. The information and data pertaining to drinking during pregnancy can be somewhat conflicting.
According to the Centers for Disease Control CDC , women should not consume alcohol at any point of their pregnancy, including the time of conception. Alcohol consumption is considered a major risk factor for SIDS. As of , crib manufacturers must adhere to specific guidelines mandated by the CPSC. However, you should keep in mind that the mattress you choose for your child is also crucial to reducing their risk of SIDS.
Refer to these crib safety mandates and the additional CPSC guidelines listed earlier in this guide when determining whether a crib or bassinet is safe for your child. Danielle writes in-depth articles about sleep solutions and holds a psychology degree from the University of British Columbia. She specializes in helping parents establish healthy sleep habits for children.
With less rigid schedules during summer break, kids tend to face sleep disruptions.
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