How does SIDS occurs? is it because the baby can't lift his/her head?

Question

My baby is 10 weeks old and he loves sleeping on his tummy during the day. He seems fine but I am afraid of letting him sleep like that at night when I am not watching.

Answer 1

that is fine. my daughter started sleeping on her tummy when she was only 2 months old also. as long as the crib sheet is not able to have any ruffles in it that can bunch up and cause suffocation. no stuffed animals and make sure he is dressed warmly so that you don't have to use any blankets that might also get bunch up in his face and cause suffocation.

as long as you don't have anything in his crib that will cover his face. he is perfectly fine. and also a new study found out that putting your baby to sleep with a pacifier in his mouth greatly reduces SIDS. and with your baby sleeping on his tummy, it would really help strengthen his neck muscles and he might be able to lift his head and move his head before most baby who sleep on their backs.

Answer 2

SIDS has nothing to do with the baby lifting her/his head. That could be put a baby in danger of suffocation. It apparently is caused by a baby who is unable to wake up from sleep.

Stomach sleeping is more dangerous for the very reason it has been so popular--because babies sleep "better". Well...for a young baby, longer is *not* better. Babies are *supposed* to wake frequently; that is the very thing that protects them from SIDS!

If you want to do everything in your power to protect your child from SIDS, try the following. Breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months (this is the single *most* protective practice, according to research), do not let *anyone* smoke around your baby (and don't smoke--even if only outside the house), do not use a pacifier (recent research showed that babies who regularly use a pacifier are at increased risk of SIDS if they *ever* sleep without it--you cannot guarantee that you won't break the last one in the house just before bedtime one day!!), and put your baby to sleep in your bed (see sources section below). (A number of well-designed studies have shows that the risk of SIDS is lower if you sleep with your baby. *One* poorly-designed study showed that babies sometimes suffocate when sleeping in a bed instead of a crib. Even if no babies every suffocated in a crib--and that's just not true!!--thousands of babies die every year of SIDS and a few dozen of suffocation.)

Answer 3

Sids occurs when the babys mouth and nose are closed off by either the crib bedding (the bumper pad) or the baby moves his head and puts his face straight into the bed and restricts air and suffecates. I let my kids sleep on their tummies during the day also and at night i put them on their back or on their side propped by 2 rolled up recieving balkets one at their back one at their front.

Answer 4

SIDS stands for "sudden infant death syndrome" nobody knows why this happens. nobody can predict it. it happens at night while the baby is in the crib.aka "crib death". They say a way to lesson the chances of SIDS is to always lay the baby on their back at night >never on their stomachs.

Answer 5

"Back to Sleep" babies should sleep on their backs at night and only on their tummies if your watching them---- only so they can work the neck muscles --until the child is able to lift and turn his head on his own its best to keep them on their back if not he might be on his tummy and turn his face down or againd the bumper and not be able to turn it in the position and he might suffocate or breath in his air which are bad toxins

Answer 6

That is one reason yes. Even during the day you must be careful with that. Use a good baby monitor.

Answer 7

I suggest that you look up sudden infant death syndrome on the net. You will be able to find many articles on the subject rather than just what people think they know or have heard.

Answer 8

they arent really sure what causes sids.....but they say dont ever let them sleep on their tummies....and dont put pillows blankets or toys in bed with them....dont smoke in your house.

Answer 9

SIDS and Kids - Safe Sleeping

Lullabies aren't the only things you'll need to know to put your baby to sleep

SIDS and Kids safe sleeping:
Babies are young children spend a lot of their time sleeping. Some sleeping arrangements are not safe. They can increase the risk of SIDS or cause serious sleeping accidents.

Research ahs found some important ways to reduce the risk of SIDS and create a safe sleeping environment for babies and young children. This brochure provides you with information to help you create a safe sleeping environment for your child.

What is SIDs?
SIDS is short for 'Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and used to be called 'cot death'. It means the sudden, unexpected death of a baby from no known cause. SIDS is the most common cause of death in babies between one month are one year of age. Most babies who die of SIDS are under 6 months. More babies die of SIDS during winter than in summer.

It is still not clear what causes SIDS. Some factors are though tto work together to reduce the risk of SIDS, but they may or may not help prevent any one SIDS death. Remember 1999 out of 2000 babies will not die of SIDS.

Some new information
Since the Reducing the Risk or SIDS program was introduced in Australia in 1991, SIDS deaths have dropped by about 70% to about 140 per year.

Put baby on the back to sleep, from birth
Sleeping on the back reduces the risk of SIDS. The chance of babies dying from SIDS is greater if they sleep on their tummies or sides. Put your baby on the back to sleep, from birth, unless your doctor or nurse tells you otherwise. Healthy babies placed to sleep onthe back are less likely to choke on vomit than tummy sleeping infants.

If you are unsure about the best way to sleep your baby, speak with your doctor or nurse.

Tummy play is safe and good for babies when they are awake and an adult is present, but don't put the baby on the tummy to sleep.

Baby-sitters and others who care for your baby may not know that tummy or side sleeping increases the risk of SIDS. Explain this to them before you leave your baby in their care.

Older babies can turn over and move around the cot. Put them on the back but let them find their own sleeping positions. The risk of SIDS in babies over six months is extremely low.

Sleep baby with face uncovered:
Be careful your baby's face and head stay uncovered during sleep as this decreases the risk of SIDS.

A good way to do this is to put baby's feet at the bottom of the cot so that baby can't slip down under the blankets. You might decide not to use blankets at all and instead, use a safe baby sleeping bag; one with a fitted neck and arm holes.

When baby is put to sleep check that:
Baby is tucked in securely or is in a safe sleeping bag.

Cot bedding is not loose.

There are no quilts, doonas, duvets, pillows or cot bumpers in the cot.

Taking baby into an adult bed may be unsafe if baby:
Gets caught under adult bedding or pillows

Is trapped between the wall and the bed

Falls out of bed

Is rolled on by someone who sleeps very deeply or who is affected by drugs or alcohol

Cigarette smoke is bad for babies:
Cigarette smoke harms babies before birth and after. Parents who smoke during pregnancy and after the baby is born increase the risk of SIDS for their baby. In fact, if the mother smokes, the risk of SIDS doubles, if the father smokes too, the risk of SIDS doubles again.

There is an increased risk of SIDS if parets are smokers, even if they smoke outside, away from the baby. If mothers who are smokers bedshare with their babies the risk of SIDS is increased. The reasons for this are not clear.However, we do know that being a non-smoker or smoking less will reduce the risk for your baby.

Try not to let anyone smoke near your baby - not in the house, the car or anywhere else your baby spends time.

How to sleep young children safely:
Safe cot
Safe mattress
Safe bedding
Safe sleeping place, night and day

Safe cot:
Does the cot meet Australian standards?

All new and second hand cots sold in Australia must meet the Australian Standard for Cots and will carry a label to say so.

Old or secondhand cots may be dangerous for the following reasons:
Wobbly or broken parts that can make the cot weak
Gaps a toddler or baby can get caught in
Knobs, corner posts or exposed bolts that can hook onto a toddlers of babys clothing around the neck
Sides that are too low and can be climbed over by active little toddlers
Sharp catches or holes in the wood that can hurt curious little fingers
Paint that might contain poisonous lead

Check that cots meet the Australian standard before use:

Babies can become trapped in a tilted rocking cot or cradle If you have a cradle or cot that rocks and has a locking pin, make sure you secure the locking pin firmly in place whenever you leave your baby, and double check it to make sure the cradle cannot move when you are not there to supervise.

Not - portable or 'porta' cots
Use the firm, clean, well fitting mattress that is supplied with the portable cot. Don't add additional padding under the mattress as baby can get trapped face down in gaps created between the mattress and the cot wall. There is a seperate Australian Standard that is used for all portable cots.

Remember:
Always look for the Australian Standard for Cots before you buy a cot.

If you are planning to use a secondhand cot check that it meets the standard.

Safe mettress:
Is the cot mattress the right size for the cot, and is it firm and clean?
A toddler or baby can get stuck in gaps between the mattress and the cot sides. This is especially dangerous if their face is trapped and covered or their neck is restricted in any way. Make sure there is no more than a 25mm (1 inch) gap between the mattress and the cot sides and ends.

Remove plastic packaging from the mattress. Always make surethe waterproof mattress protector is strong and a tight fit.

A pillow or cushion is not a safe mattress. They are soft and may cover baby's face.

Safe bedding
Remove pillows, quilts, doonas, duvets and lambskins from the cot

Soft and puffy bedding in the cot is unnceccessary and may cover your baby's face and make breathing difficult.

If you firmly wrap or swaddle your baby, it is safer not to cover baby's head.

A safe place to sleep
During night and day, look out for dangers
The following are things to look out for and avoid where your toddler or baby sleeps. Both during the night and for any daytime naps.

Remember to look for these things in your own house and anywhere your child is cared for - including day care, childcare centres and the homes of family and friends.

1. An unsupervised adult bed may be unsafe for babies or toddlers if they:
Get caught under adult bedding or pillows

Get trapped between the wall and the bed

Fall out of bed

Are rolled on by someone who sleeps very deeply or who is affected by drugs or alcohol

The risk of accident is increased if you leave your baby or toddler alone on an adult bed or bunk bed.

2. Soft sleeping places where a toddler's or baby's face may get covered:
If you fall asleep with the baby while on a couch or sofa, there is a very high risk of a sleeping accident

Babies don't need pillows. Pillows, cushins or tri-pillows are too soft and can cover baby's face

Don't put your baby or toddler on a waterbed or beanbag. They are not safe for babies or toddlers.

3. Dangling cords or string
Keep the cot away from any cords hanging from blinds, curtains, or electrical appliances because they could get caught around baby's neck. Keep mobiles out of the reach of curious little hands and mouths.

4. Heaters and electrical appliances
Keep heaters or any electrical appliances well away from the cot to avoid the risk of overheating, burns and electrocution.

Don't use electric blankets, hot water bottles or wheat bags, for babies or young children. Remember that your baby or toddler cannot escape from a bed or cot to cool down and does not know how to remove bedclothes. A baby that becomes too hot is at an increased risk of SIDS.

5. Prams, strollers and bouncers where restraints are not done up:
Always do up the restraints when baby is in a pram, stroller, bouncer or any other baby/toddler equipment. It can be dangerous if baby becomes tangled in loose restraints. Also, restraints will not be the safety measure they should be if they are not done up the way they are supposed to be.

Make sure the footrest on the stroller is strong and secure. A weak footrest may give way and cause baby to become trapped.