Baby Sleep Safety - Reducing the Risk of SIDS

Baby Sleep Safety:Baby Sleep Safety:Reducing the Risk of SIDSReducing the Risk of SIDS

www.babysleepsolution.com

Sudden Infant Death Sudden Infant Death SyndromeSyndrome

SIDSSIDSSIDS is the largest known cause of death inchildren under the age of one. To date thereis no known cure, or reason for that matter,is

to why some children are affected whileothers aren't.

Over 2,500 babies die in the US each year from SIDS

Although the number of deaths have been lowered byaround 40% by taking several preventative approachesand incorporating baby sleep safety methods to safe guardchildren from SIDS, there is no known way to fully avoidthe occurrence of SIDS.

Baby Sleep Safety TipsBaby Sleep Safety Tips

• Lay baby on his or her back. SIDS has been closely linked to children sleeping on

their tummies.

•Use a firm mattress. Avoid fluffy toys or pillows that may

cause suffocation.

• Don't let baby get over heated during the night.

Babies have a higher body temperature than we do and don't require as many blankets - Don't let baby freeze either though!

• DON’T smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs before or after baby's birth.

Cigarette smoke is a known contributor to SIDS.

• Breast feed your baby if at all possible. Babies that are breast-fed

are statistically less likely to die from SIDS.

• Offer your baby a pacifier during the first year of life. It is not known why but babies that are given pacifiers in the early stages of life are less likely

to be claimed by SIDS.

•Don't sleep with your baby in the same bed or let your baby sleep in

an adult bed.

The baby has a greater risk of suffocation when in a bed designed for an adult. It is ok to comfort and feed baby in bed as long as he or she is returned to his or her proper bed afterward.

Risk Factors• Smoking, drinking alcohol and drug use are Smoking, drinking alcohol and drug use are

believed to be among the main contributing believed to be among the main contributing factors to SIDS. factors to SIDS.

Simply put, if you value the life of your child, refrain from using harmful drugs such as these!

• Poor parental care.Poor parental care.

Inexperienced or young parents are thehighest risk. As long as a parent takes the timeto get early and regular parental care checksand have the support of family and friends,there is much less risk of this occurring.

• Premature babies are at a high risk of Premature babies are at a high risk of SIDS.SIDS.

Premature babies are born with a disadvantage to begin with and are usually very weak and under developed. This is more a notation than a prevention.

• Mothers who are younger that 20 are at Mothers who are younger that 20 are at risk of having a baby die from SIDS. risk of having a baby die from SIDS.

This can be for a variety of reasons such as

inexperience or unintentional neglect.

• By using these tips and making yourself aware of the risk factors and taking baby sleep safety precautions you can reduce the likelihood of losing a child to SIDS.

For parents who have lost a child to SIDS there are many wonderful support groups available to help go through the grieving process

By Chris Towland

www.babysleepsolution.com