About SIDS
First-time parents or any other parent with a newborn worry a lot.
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They worry about tangible things that the baby experiences.
For instance, they worry whether the baby has fed enough; for mothers, they worry if they have enough milk supply, or if the baby is warm enough.
Other times when babies are crying, they worry if their babies are sick, hungry, or tired.
Most parents also worry about theoretical things like will their babies be alright, will they be happy, and will they be silent or loud babies or whether they will follow the right path in the future.
Besides, new mothers tend to worry about their sleep when babies are born.
According to the experts , Sudden infant death syndrome is an alarming calamity that has affected many families worldwide.
SIDS has been confirmed as a leading cause of death in babies under six months, but with proper measures, death can be avoided.
For worrying parents that fear about their babies stopping to breathe in the middle of their naps or sleep, chances are very low at times.
However, some pediatrician experts associate environmental factors and other factors such as soft materials and tummy sleeping to increasing the risk of SIDS.
What causes SIDS?
Researches have been conducted; however, there are no conclusive results of what causes sudden infant death syndrome.
Many people believe babies might be affected at random, but SIDS seems to occur to infants suffering from other conditions; this is mainly due to infant brain development.
Experts believe that the part of the brain that retorts to harmful breathing disorders might be undeveloped.
Although this has not been proven, we cannot conclude what causes SIDS.
Does worry stop?
Eventually, worry for sudden infant death syndrome slightly stops once the babies turn a year old.
However, after a year, it does not mean that parents can let go of the safe sleeping practices for their babies.
These practices should continue to about three years when babies are healthy enough to push themselves away from trouble and harmful accidents.
There are many tips and recommendations suggested for new parents or parents with a newborn to help curb the SIDS challenge.
Here are tips to help reduce the SIDS risk:
Tips to reduce or stop SIDS
Place the baby on their back
Parents and caregivers are advised to place their infants on their backs.
When babies are placed on their backs, it allows sufficient airflow because their lungs are not fully developed.
They require adequate air to keep the baby away from suffocation.
When babies sleep on their stomachs, the rick of blocking airflow is very high; with their weak muscles, it would be challenging to clear their airway.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has reassured parents that the back-to-sleep campaign that indicates when babies sleep on their backs, they are likely to spit up and choke causing SIDS is not the truth.
Use of a firm flat surface
Place the infants and babies on a surface that is firm and flat, or mattress with a close-fitting sheet; this will ensure the safety of the baby.
Soft material like loose blankets, comforters, crib bumpers, and pillows should be kept away to reduce the possibilities of SIDS.
Parents are advised to go slow on the amount of decoration that is done to the baby’s crib, mainly because the soft materials used might obstruct airflow leading to the suffocation of the baby.
Consider room sharing
Parents or caregivers should consider room sharing with their babies for about seven to twelve months.
This can reduce the risk of SIDS because when the baby is resting next to you, you will be able to attend to them whenever you feel like something might be wrong.
Nevertheless, recent research has shown that the rate of SIDS decreases after the fourth month.
However, parents should keep a close eye on their babies until they are a year old.
Use a pacifier
Parents are allowed to use a pacifier to help their babies to fall asleep; this has decreased the chances of sudden infant death syndrome.
However, if the baby spits it out, do not force it.
Pacifiers used during naps and sleep should not be attached to anything.
Seek help when needed
New mothers should not feel ashamed to seek help.
Taking care of a newborn can take a toll on someone.
The experience might cause anxiety and total exhaustion causing parents to rely on mobile devices or harmful products to entertain babies.
They can instead ask for help from other people to look after the baby while they take a nap.
So, mothers should ensure adult supervision on their babies is there at all times.
Also, seeking help will reduce the temptation to bring your baby to bed with you hence reducing the risk of SIDS.
Use recommended baby products for safety purposes.
The safest place for a baby to take a nap or sleep is on a flat firm surface.
Parents should use the recommended products such as a bassinet, crib, or a play yard for sleeping.
Such products have undergone thorough testing and approved to be safe for use.
Co-sleeping or using swings might be harmful to the babies and might cause SIDS.
Things that should continue after the SIDS risk period
The risk of SIDS diminishes after 7-12 months.
However, parents are advised to continue with the safe practices for a while until the baby is a toddler.
The practices include;
- Allowing the baby to sleep on a firm surface; this ensures that babies are safe at all times.
At six months, babies start to roll over and crawl; firm surfaces will reduce the risk of suffocation.
- Place babies on their backs.
When babies start to roll over, it means they are strong enough to position themselves to a position that they are comfortable with.
However, parents should always have a close eye on them.
- Use less loose materials.
Babies up to 12 months are allowed to sleep in a clear crib with a fitted sheet.
If parents worry that the kid might be cold or something, they should consider sleep sacks to keep babies warm enough.