SIDS Prevention Strategies Every Parent Should Know

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Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a condition in which newborn babies die in their sleep, often without warning. It's so unpredictable that many pathologists and healthcare providers now call it Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Syndrome (SUIDS).

Since the Safe to Sleep (formerly Back to Sleep) campaign was launched in 1994, the number of SIDS deaths has decreased dramatically. Despite this, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports approximately 3,500 unexpected infant deaths each year.

The unpredictability and finality of SIDS scare new parents who desperately want to keep Baby safe, but there are some steps you can take to help reduce his risk. Here are the most important SIDS prevention strategies and facts for parents to know.

SIDS victims, according to experts, have an immature arousal center in the brain. Simply put, they can't wake up when they're having trouble breathing. Babies who sleep on their stomachs are more likely to die from SIDS, possibly because this position increases the likelihood of re-inhaling oxygen-depleted air.

Here are 13 expert-approved methods to prevent SIDS in your baby how to prevent SIDS

Although taking the necessary precautions does not always guarantee that your child will be safe from SIDS, new research is revealing more ways to reduce the risk than ever before.

Method #1: Never let your baby sleep on his stomach.

Back-sleeping allows a baby to get more fresh air and makes her less likely to overheat. However, not all new parents get the message: Eighteen percent of Parent's readers say they usually put their babies to sleep on their stomachs, and another 13 percent say they do it occasionally. Because infants sleep better and deeper on their stomachs, some exhausted new parents may do it out of desperation.

You shouldn't even put Baby down for a short nap on his stomach. This is because babies who normally sleep on their backs are 18 times more likely to die of SIDS when placed on their tummy for a nap.

Despite the risks of stomach sleeping, you shouldn't be concerned if your child begins to roll over on their own. When babies can roll over on their own, their brains are mature enough to detect breathing hazards.

However, keep in mind that your baby should still have several supervised "tummy time" sessions per day. This promotes the baby's development and prevents flat spots on his head caused by sleeping on his back. Babies require tummy time when both parents are awake, alert, and paying close attention. Tummy time is not for sleeping; it is for development.

Method #2: Don’t put anything in the crib except a fitted sheet.

Place a pillow and blanket in your baby's crib after his or her first birthday. Blankets, pillows, comforters, and stuffed animals can obstruct your child's breathing; even soft or poorly fitting mattresses can be hazardous. If you're worried about your baby getting cold, swaddle her in a receiving blanket or use a sleep sack. Swaddling helps fussy babies sleep better on their backs and may protect them from SIDS by causing them to startle more easily, according to a Belgian study. However, always use proper swaddling techniques and avoid swaddling too tightly. The baby should be able to move around and kick and squirm.

Method #3: Maintain a comfortable temperature in the nursery.

Be careful not to overheat your baby with swaddling or a hot room. A warm nursery significantly increases a baby's risk of SIDS. That could be because the warm baby falls into such a deep sleep that waking up if he is in trouble is difficult. Set the thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, avoid placing the crib near a radiator, and dress your child in light layers that you can easily remove if she gets hot.

Method #4: Be careful with co-sleeping.

Your baby could be suffocated by a pillow or a loose blanket while co-sleeping in bed. If you or your spouse inadvertently roll over onto him, his air supply may be cut off. And if his head becomes trapped between the headboard and mattress, he could be strangled. Co-sleeping on a couch or armchair poses the same risks.

Despite numerous studies concluding that co-sleeping increases the risk of SIDS, many mothers continue to do so. According to a poll conducted by parents.com, 52 percent of readers do it all or some of the time, citing the added convenience for nighttime feedings as well as the security of having their infants close by.

Method 5: Make sure your baby has enough room.

While sleeping, your child should be able to move around and squirm. A baby who can't move well can get into dangerous positions that become compromising. He advises parents to steer clear of ultra-narrow bassinets and other small beds. Position your baby with their hands out above their heads so they can move freely, and don't wrap hips too tightly if swaddling.

Method 6: Give your baby a pacifier.

Binkies do reduce the risk of SIDS. Sucking on a pacifier may bring a baby's tongue forward, opening the airway a little bit more. It's also possible that babies who use pacifiers don't sleep as deeply as babies who don't. During your child's first year, the AAP now recommends that you consider giving him a pacifier at night and for naps. If you're breastfeeding, wait until your baby is a month old and nursing normally before introducing a Binky.

Method 7: Talk with your childcare providers.

Just because you're knowledgeable about SIDS doesn't mean your childcare provider is. Consider the following ominous statistics: According to research published in the journal Pediatrics, one out of every five SIDS deaths occurs when a baby is in daycare or being watched by someone other than a parent. In addition, more than 20% of babies in day-care centers are placed on their tummies for naps. The majority of states do not have safe-sleep guidelines for licensed providers.

Method 8: Skip anti-SIDS gadgets.

Using an electronic breathing monitor doesn't help unless your baby has a diagnosed cardiac or respiratory illness, according to studies and it may even give parents a false sense of security. Devices marketed to reduce CO2 rebreathing, such as crib mattresses with built-in fans, have also not been proven to be effective. Also, stay away from wedge-shaped sleep positioners that claim to keep your baby on her back: A baby can fall off and suffocate against it.

Method 9: Use a Firm and Flat Sleep Surface, Such as a Mattress in a Safety-Approved Crib 

Never put a baby to sleep on a soft surface like a couch, sofa, waterbed, pillow, quilt, sheepskin, or blanket. These surfaces can be extremely hazardous to babies. Use a car seat, stroller, swing, infant carrier, infant sling, or similar product as the baby's primary sleeping area. Following these guidelines lowers the risk of SIDS as well as death or injury from suffocation, entrapment, or strangulation.

Method 10: Breastfeed Your Baby To Reduce the Risk of SIDS. 

Breastfeeding has numerous health benefits for both the mother and the baby. Babies who breastfeed or are fed breast milk are less likely to die from SIDS than babies who are never fed breast milk. A longer period of exclusive breastfeeding results in a lower risk.

If you bring your baby into your bed to feed him or her, return him or her to a separate sleep area when finished. This sleeping area should be designed for infants, such as a crib or bassinet, and should be close to your bed. If you fall asleep while feeding or comforting a baby in an adult bed, immediately place him or her back in a separate sleep area. Evidence suggests that the longer a parent and an infant share a bed, the greater the risk of sleep-related infant death, such as suffocation.

Method 11: Share Your Room With Baby. 

Sharing a room lowers the risk of SIDS. Baby should not sleep alone, with you, or with anyone else, including siblings or pets, in an adult bed, couch, or chair. Providing a separate safe sleep surface for the baby reduces the risk of SIDS as well as the possibility of suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment. Remove all soft items and bedding from the area if you bring your baby into your bed for feeding or comfort. 

When finished, place the baby in a separate sleep area designed for infants, such as a crib or bassinet, close to your bed. Couches and armchairs can also be dangerous for babies if adults fall asleep while feeding, comforting, or bonding with the baby on these surfaces. During these times, parents and other caregivers should be aware of how tired they are. There is no evidence to support or refute the claims of devices or products that claim to make bed-sharing "safe."

Method 12: Avoid Products That Go Against Safe Sleep Recommendations, 

Those that claim to prevent or reduce the risk of SIDS, in particular. There is no known way to prevent SIDS at the moment. Wedges, positioners, and other products that claim to keep infants in a specific position or to reduce the risk of SIDS, suffocation, or reflux are not supported by evidence. Many of these products have been linked to injury and death, particularly when used in a baby's sleeping area.

Method 13: Give Your Baby Plenty of Tummy Time When He or She Is Awake and Someone Is Watching. 

Supervised Tummy Time aids in the development of your baby's neck, shoulder, and arm muscles. It also aids in the prevention of flat spots on your baby's back of the head. Limiting the amount of time the baby spends in the car seat after the baby is out of the car, as well as changing the direction the infant lays in the sleeping area from week to week, can also help to prevent these flat spots.

I hope these 13 SIDS Prevention Strategies Every Parent Should Know to help you get your baby to fall asleep fast.

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