Club Mom: There Are Ways To Prevent SIDS
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Is Frightening Reality
POSTED: 5:45 p.m. EDT July 28, 2003
Each year, about 2,500 infants die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and autopsies do not show an explainable cause of death.
SIDS happens to babies in their first year of life. The highest incidence of SIDS is between two and four months old, but Deborah Niedbala of Children's Hospital of Michigan said risk factors go beyond age.
"Children who are premature are at higher risk, children born to mothers what have not had good prenatal care, children who sleep in environments where there is a lot of tobacco smoke seem to be at higher risk," Niedbala said.
But there are ways to prevent SIDS.
One way is to make sure your baby is in the proper sleeping position.
"The first thing you can do to prevent SIDS is to make sure the baby is sleeping on its back. Do not put the baby on its stomach and never on its side," Niedbala said.
Also, always put your baby to sleep in their crib. Remember, the crib itself does not cause SIDS.
"And that's something that people believe because it's been called over the years 'crib death' that if I put my baby to sleep in the crib the baby will die. No, the baby's safest sleeping in his own bed," Niedbala said.
Parents should also make sure to take anything out of the crib that could possibly smother a baby, such as pillows and blankets. Also, if it's possible, breastfeed your baby. Research shows that babies who are breastfed suffer a lower incidence of SIDS.
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