Awareness of SIDS
SIDS, otherwise known as crib death, stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, a condition in which a baby unexpectedly dies while sleeping. Every concerned parent has heard about SIDS. SIDS is a truly frightening conditioning that affects babies that appear to be perfectly healthy. Fortunately, crib death is an incredibly rare occurrence and parents can take steps to reduce their child’s risk.
Approximately, one in 2000 infants die from SIDS in the United States. Babies at highest risk have the following risk factors: born to teenage mothers, premature and / or low birth weight, live in a home with a smoker, maternal drug use during pregnancy and formula fed. Just because a child has one, some, or all of the above risk factors does not mean he will die of SIDS; it simply signifies that he has a higher risk.
Fortunately, there are safety precautions that parents can implement. In fact, since pediatricians began teaching safe sleeping techniques, SIDS rates have been cut in half. Here is a list of safety tips. First, always have your child sleep on her back. Even side sleeping increases SIDS risk. Second, place infants to sleep on a firm mattress. Third, keep your baby’s crib in the mom’s room until 6 months of age. Fourth, don’t place the baby to sleep in an adult bed or on a couch. Fifth, don’t cover the baby while she sleeps. Sixth, never expose your infant to second hand tobacco smoke. Seventh, keep your baby away from sick people and breastfeed.
