Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) occurs when the sudden death of a healthy infant cannot be explained after thorough investigation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, SIDS is the leading cause of death in 1 to 12-month-old infants. Other situations can also occur while your baby is sleeping, such as strangulation or suffocation, but risks can be reduced with preventative sleep tactics.
Position
During naps and at night, always place your baby to sleep on his back. According to Mayo Clinic, doctors once recommended babies to sleep on their stomach because they sleep more soundly, but now statistics show babies who sleep on their stomachs are at higher risk for SIDS. Make sure anyone who may babysit your infant knows to put him to sleep on his back and not his side or stomach.
Cribs
Babies should sleep in a crib or bassinet only. To avoid suffocation, there should be no thick quilts, blankets, thick bumpers, pillows, fluffy toys or stuffed animals in the crib or bassinet. According to the AAP, if you chose to use bumpers, these should be removed by the time your baby can move around. Toys that attach securely to cribs can be used, such as a crib mirror or music machine. If a mobile is used, it needs to be high enough so your baby can not become entangled. Once your baby can sit up, the mobile needs removed, according to the AAP.
The mattress in the crib or bassinet needs to be firm, and sheets need to fit tightly. Loose sheets can be particularly dangerous, since the sheet can move over the baby's head or can tangle around the baby's neck. According to Mayo Clinic, a baby should never be allowed to sleep in your bed because a parent can roll over and suffocate to the baby. In addition, the baby could get trapped between the mattress and wall or between the mattress and bed frame. However, the AAP does suggest sharing your room, so the bassinet or crib is nearby.
Temperature
According to the Children's Hospital, the room where your baby sleeps should feel comfortable to an adult. If a baby's temperature is too hot, the risk of SIDS is increased. According to Mayo Clinic, if a baby is sweating, then she is too warm. You should never bundle your baby, especially when your baby has a fever. Since there should be no blankets in your baby's crib or bassinet, sleep sacks or regular pajamas are usually sufficient for keeping your baby warm at night. The crib should be kept away from windows, since drafts can causes changes in the temperature.
Considerations
If you still want your baby to sleep with a blanket, use a thin receiving blanket and use the AAP's feet-to-foot method. To do this, place your baby's feet at the foot of the mattress, cover your baby with the blanket and tuck the ends into the side and foot of the mattress. Never cover your baby's face with a blanket. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests plenty of tummy time while your baby is awake so your baby's neck muscles can be strong enough so he can turn his head. Your baby being able to turn his head could be life saving since he can turn to avoid suffocation. Some other ways of lowering your baby's risk of SIDS is to use a fan in the room to keep air circulating, use a pacifier and breastfeed during your baby's first year.
Warnings
There are many products on the market that advertise that they reduce the risk of SIDS. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, products that make these claims are not tested for safety and effectiveness, so they should be avoided. In addition, home monitors cannot be relied on to reduce the risk of SIDS.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Reducing the Risk
- Mayo Clinic: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- "What to Expect When You're Expecting"; Heidi Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg & Sandee Hathaway; 2002
- Children's Hospital Boston: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Suitable Sleeping Sites
