fear of sids?

Question

i have this great fear of sids to i sleep with my 4 week old daugther so i can keep my hand by her chest to make sure she still is breathing i have never lost a child to sids (Thank God) and pray i never do but how can i get over this fear

every thing you read says dont let baby sleep on stomach or there sides then why did the hospital tell me to put her to sleep on her side

Answer 1

Oh honey I as so sorry that you are feeling so anxious about your new baby. We all felt this way to one extent or another. One thing I can tell you is there was a new study just released from UCLA that says babies who use a pacifier are 70% less likely to suffer from SIDS. Who would have guessed that something as simple as a pacifier could help. As far as co-sleeping, all of our children slept with us for the first few weeks our babies were happier we were much more at ease. Having your babies sleep with you is a very personal and private decision I would consult with your Dr. and then make an informed decision. This panic will pass unfortunately as a mother it will probably be replaced with another. Such is motherhood. If you need to talk please feel free to e-mail me. Good Luck and congratulations on your precious new life.

Answer 2

I did that very same thing with my son, who is now a happy and healthy 11 year old. As a result, however, he is a terrible sleeper and could not sleep alone for years (I think I kept him from getting into a deep sleep because I was there and always touching him to see if he was breathing). I now have a beautiful 7 month old and I am so much more relaxed. I put her to bed at night, follow all the doctor recommendations, and don't go back into her room until she wakes in the morning. She has been sleeping through the night since she was 4 months old. Try your best to get all the facts on SIDS and maybe talk to someone at this web site:
http://battlesids.org/supportgroup.html

I hope you can find some peace and enjoy your baby!

Answer 3

If you are doing everything you can to avoid SIDS--sleeping with your baby, breastfeeding exclusively, putting her to sleep on her back and not overdressed, and keeping away anyone who smokes, there is little else you can do. Unfortunatly, this is only the first of many things that you will have no control over with your child. :-( You will probably find that you get over it as you get to know her better...or if nothing else, when she is a little older and beyond the risk period for SIDS. The highest risk is 2-4 months. It drops more at around 6 months. And she has outgrown the risk entirely by her first birthday.

Answer 4

well to be honest, if you are afraid of SIDS then you shouldnt be sleeping with the baby in your bed, you are increasing the risk. and if you think about it, if you are asleep and she stops breathing, you probably wont feel it. i dont mean to scare you more, but its true. SIDS is a very scary thing, i was worried about my daugher too, in her first months of life. everyone is afraid of losing their baby, the fear will not go away until your baby is out of the risky stage, which is after 6 months. i guess the best thing you can do is say a prayer for her every night, for God to watch over her through the night and keep her safe.

Answer 5

I dont have any advice abou this situation I just wanted to let you know that you arent alone. My son is 5 months old and I am so afraid I am gonna wake up one morning and not have him anymore. I dont think it is a fear you can ever really get rid of though...you just kind of have to deal and not stress it too much. If you are taking the proper precautions that the dr has told you to do such as not smoking around your child and not letting her sleep on her tummy you should be fine! Good luck with the new little one and enjoy every minute it goes by fast!

Answer 6

I know how you feel, I am getting ready to have my first and I am more afraid of SIDS than of giving birth!

We have a bassinet and we are going to share our room for her first 6 months of life (when the chances are greatest).

DON'T sleep together, that increases your chances. Also remember to lie her on her BACK and DON'T let anyone smoke around her!!!!

Your worries are normal, and your fear just shows you care. It is not likely SIDS will occur if you follow the above guidelines, and as she gets older your fear will slowly dissipate.

In the meantime, relax, enjoy your new baby girl, and CONGRATULATIONS!

Answer 7

My baby is due in a week and a half, and I am scared sh*tless of SIDS! I bought a monitor called the AngelCare Motion Sensor, and it will beep very loudly if the baby has no movement (including breathing) for 20 seconds. I've read a bunch of reviews on it, and I guess it works really well, so for my own peace of mind, I sprung for one! You just have to get a piece of plywood for underneath the mattress if your baby's matress is springy.

Answer 8

I had the same fear with my daughter I still worry and check on her through the night; she is 9 months old now. I never could keep her on her back she was rolling over on her stomach in the middle of the night and I kept her in her bassinet until she was 4 months old because of this. It is hard to get over that fear if you get a good answer let me know.....

Answer 9

I remember seeing an episode of autopsy on HBO and a lady was never convinced of her childs death being SIDS. She slept with the baby... The dr. on HBO suggested sleeping w/ children increases the chance of SIDS occuring... look into it.

Answer 10

I am not against cosleeping, but chances of sids are greater if your baby sleeps in your bed. You could roll on top of her, she could get down between the matress and headboard, she could get wrapped up in the blankets...anything could happen. If you want to sleep close to your baby, I suggest putting a bassinett or play pen next to your bed. Or you could buy a cosleeper.