Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Causes and Prevention
Sudden infant death syndrome is when a baby is younger than 1 year old dies suddenly for no reason .SIDS is sometimes called crib death. It happens when a baby is sleeping, usually between midnight and 6 AM .Almost all babies who die from SIDS are younger than 6 months old.
Causes of SIDS
SIDS is more likely to happen when a baby:
- Sleeps on stomach
- Sleeps on a soft surface or with pillows, blankets or stuffed animals in the bed.
- Sleeps in bed, or on a sofa, with an adult or another child.
- Is too warm or wears too many clothes when sleeping
- Is born to a mother who smokes
- Is born to a mother who is younger than 20 years old or who did not get medical care during pregnancy
- Is born too early or weighs less than normal at birth
Can SIDS be prevented?
No. SIDS can’t be prevented and there is no test that can tell if it is going to happen. But there are things that parents can do to lower the chance that it will happen .To lower the chance of SIDS, do the following:
- Put your baby on his or her back to sleep.
- Put your baby to sleep in a crib, cradle or bassinet in your bedroom. If you want your baby to sleep near you, use a bassinet that attaches to your bed. Do not have your baby sleep in your bed with you.
- Have your baby sleep on a firm surface and not on a cushion, waterbed, sofa or another soft surface.
- Remove pillows, stuffed animals and other soft objects from the sleeping area. Do not use bumper pads in the crib.
- Do not cover your baby’s head when he or she is sleeping.
- Do not dress your baby in too many clothes or keep the room too warm when he or she is sleeping.
- Stop smoking and do not let anyone smoke in the house or car.
- Breastfeed your baby.
Dr. Binoy Nellisery
Paediatrics & Neonatology
Aster Hospital Mankhool
