What Can Be Done to Prevent SIDS?

What Can Be Done to Prevent SIDS?

October is Safe Sleep & Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants aged one month to one year. Approximately 3,400 U.S. infants die suddenly (often in their sleep) every year due to SIDS, accidental suffocation, and other unknown causes. Babies who sleep on their stomachs may be at a higher risk for SIDS. What does a safe sleep environment for your baby look like? If you’re a new parent, Pegalis Law Group, LLC examines what can be done to help prevent the risk of SIDS.

Understanding the Risk Factors for SIDS

While SIDS can affect any infant, research has linked several factors that may increase the risk. Babies born prematurely with a lower birth weight are more at risk of developing SIDS because they may be more vulnerable. Other risk factors include sex (boys have a higher risk rate than girls) and race (African-American, American Indian, and Native Alaskan babies all have a higher risk rate). Some risk factors have been linked to pregnancy and external stressors during the baby’s development that may be prevented.

It’s essential for the mother to maintain a healthy pregnancy with prenatal care. Not maintaining a healthy weight, smoking, or drinking alcohol during pregnancy can increase the risk of SIDS. Secondhand smoke, overheating, upper respiratory infections, and unsafe sleep areas can also increase a baby’s risk of SIDS within their first year. The good news is that several studies suggest breastfed infants who live in a smoke-free home and have a safe sleep environment are less likely to develop SIDS.

Tips for Creating a Safe Sleep Environment for Your Baby

Do you need help creating a safe sleep environment? Follow these tips from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s Safe to Sleep® campaign:

• Babies should sleep separately from their parents. However, you may want to keep the baby’s sleep area (crib or bassinet) in the same room as you until they’re at least six months old.
• Ensure your baby has a firm, flat sleep surface. A safety-approved crib with a mattress designed specifically for it, covered only by a snug fitted sheet, is recommended.
• Remove any excess blankets, pillows, soft toys, bumper pads, and other items from the baby’s sleep area, as these may cause accidental suffocation or entrapment.
• Don’t prop your baby on their side or stomach. Babies should sleep on their backs to prevent positional asphyxia, which occurs when the body’s position prevents breathing.
• Avoid overheating during sleep – your baby shouldn’t be hot to the touch or sweating. Don’t cover your baby’s head or use weighted blankets or swaddling.
• If your baby falls asleep in a stroller, swing, car seat, or other baby carrier, move them to a firm, flat sleep area on their back as soon as possible.
• Don’t attach a pacifier to your baby’s clothing while they’re sleeping.
• Give your baby plenty of supervised “tummy time” when they’re awake.

Ensure your baby’s growth and development are on the right track through regular check-ups with your pediatrician. Some studies also suggest infant vaccinations may help protect babies against SIDS.

Focused on Raising Patient Awareness Issues for 50+ Years

As a New York-based personal injury and medical malpractice law firm for 50+ years, Pegalis Law Group, LLC cares about creating proactive patients. Please visit our website and follow us on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for more tips to keep you and your loved ones happy and healthy this year.