Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: How to Prevent It

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Parents who are aware of SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome, would agree that this is the worst possible thing that can happen to them and their baby. SIDS is also known as the crib death, which happens when the infant just suddenly dies in their sleep with no clear reason. SIDS usually happens to babies who are younger than 12 months old. 

There is still no 100% proven prevention for SIDS in babies, however, as parents there are a lot of ways to help prevent this tragedy. Here are some proven and effective for parents to help prevent SIDS.

• Putting a Sleeping Baby On Its Back

When a baby is sleeping on its stomach or sideways, this can cause a higher risk of SIDS. When you position your baby on his stomach, there is a possibility of them to roll over to the side, and will put your baby's face in the mattress or sleeping pad, which will further smother him. Whenever you put your baby to sleep, always put them on his back. Do not let them sleep in a stroller, car seat, or a baby swing for a long period of time. It is advisable to tell the baby's grandparents, aunts, uncles, caregivers, or anyone who looks after them when you're not around. 

• No Soft Toys or Beddings

As parents, you would think that the softer the beddings and pillows are, the more comfortable it is for the baby. This is where you are wrong. Soft pillows and beddings can cause suffocation and smothering, so make sure you lay your baby on a firm bedding or mattress. Also, make sure your crib has a fitted sheet and refrain from putting stuffed toys, crib bumpers, quilts, and pillows in the crib.

• Say No to Smoke

Smoking can really damage a person's health, especially an infant's. If you're a smoker, you should have stopped smoking even before you got pregnant. If your partner is a smoker, have them quit smoking for the baby's sake. A lot of infants die because of SIDS that is caused by mom's smoking during her pregnancy. Smoking is a very huge risk for SIDS, and secondhand smoking also increases the chances. 

• Always Keep Your Baby Close

Studies have shown that when babies sleep in the same room as their moms, there is a lower risk of SIDS. However, this does not mean that you will let your baby sleep in the same bed you are sleeping in. You can put a bassinet or crib beside your bed for your baby to sleep in. You can bring your baby to bed when you breastfeed them but put them in their cradle or bassinet once you're done doing so. 

• Breastfeed for as Long as You Can

The risk of SIDS will decrease as much as 50 percent when you breastfeed your babies regularly. Experts are unsure why this is true, but they think this might be due to the natural paternal vitamins in breast milk. When you breastfeed, make sure you're not drinking alcohol or smoking because this will affect the production and quality of breast milk. 

• Use a Pacifier When Putting Your Baby to Sleep

Pacifiers help prevent SIDS. All you need to do is wait until your baby is used to breastfeeding and then let them use pacifiers. However, do not force your babies to use pacifiers if they refuse to. It is best to use pacifiers when you put your babies to sleep. Make sure you use clean and sanitized pacifiers to ensure safety. Do not coat pacifiers with flavors such as honey.

• Keep Your Baby From Overheating

Dress your babies in light and comfortable clothes to keep them cool. Also, be mindful of the temperature of the room they are in. The temperature that adults are used to might not be suitable for infants. 

• Make Sure to Immunize Your Baby

Immunization is a must especially when babies are still little. Studies have shown that babies who are immunized according to their doctor's recommendation have a 50 percent less risk of getting SIDS compared to babies who are not fully immunized.

• Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS

SIDS doesn't have a cure or a proven solution yet according to doctors and experts, so might as well avoid buying products who guarantee you a reduced risk in SIDS. This includes cardiac monitors and respirators. 

• Say no to honey

Honey should not be given to babies who are under 1 year old. Honey can cause botulism in young children, especially infants. If you don't know botulism, it is a bacteria that can be linked to SIDS.