Can anyone tell me anything they know about SIDS and anything to try to prevent it??

Answer 1

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Most commonly caused when a baby falls asleep in its crib on its stomach, the head is not turned all the way to the side and so the baby cannot get a proper amount of oxygen (ie. breathing back in its own carbon dioxide) and it suffocates to death.

To prevent this, be sure your baby is sleeping on its back. It may fuss at first, but after a few nights it will be used to it.

Answer 2

Exactly why SIDS occurs remains elusive. Over the years, researchers have investigated a number of possible causes, including suffocation, vomiting or choking, birth defects, metabolic abnormalities, infection, and altered development in the parts of the brain that control breathing. New research has focused on the way babies breathe while they're asleep — especially their response to low blood oxygen levels (hypoxia) — and on heart problems. Extremely low heart rhythms that occur suddenly and don't improve with resuscitation have been seen in some SIDS babies. It's still unclear why this occurs.

Researchers are also investigating a possible link between SIDS and long QT syndrome, a subtle electrical disturbance in the heart that causes sudden, extremely rapid heart rates. Researchers suspect that some SIDS babies have a gene for this syndrome. On the other hand, most deaths from long QT syndrome occur during exercise, rather than during sleep as SIDS deaths do. And if long QT syndrome is the cause of SIDS, it doesn't explain why back sleeping reduces a child's risk or why only very young infants are affected.

Still, if you have a history of SIDS in your family, your doctor will want to check for the presence of long QT syndrome in your infant. This can usually be done withanelectrocardiogram (ECG) and confirmed, if necessary, with genetic studies.

Some factors that probably don't cause crib death include:

A toxin or poison in the baby's environment. The notable exception to this is cigarette smoke. Babies exposed to secondhand smoke have a harder time waking up or being awakened from sleep, which researchers believe increases the risk of SIDS.
Immunizations or a lack of immunizations. Some people believe that the multiple vaccinations American infants receive may play a role in SIDS. But a statement issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics in October 2005 says there's no association between immunizations and SIDS. At the same time, there's no evidence that children who aren't vaccinated are at increased risk.
Exposure to electrical or magnetic fields or to household pets. In addition, SIDS doesn't seem to be caused by allergies or allergic reactions.

Answer 3

Mattress Wrapping
Mattress wrapping is based on the toxic gas theory. The theory states that toxic nerve gases permeate from all used mattresses: crib, bassinet, adult mattresses and even sofa cushions. The gases are created when fungus grows inside the mattress and eats certain elements in the mattress, including phosphorus, arsenic, and antimony. Babies, especially those sleeping on their stomachs, breathe in the toxic nerve gases, which results in crib death, or SIDS.

Mattress wrapping, which is essentially wrapping the mattress in a polyethylene cover, prevents the gases from getting into the baby's breathing space. The polyethylene sheeting does not allow the gases to permeate, thereby preventing inhalation and subsequently preventing crib death.

The Toxic Gas "Theory"
Like most people, you are probably wondering about now, why in the world you should trust this "theory" and what you are reading. After all, TONS of other websites by notorious doctors and even SIDS organizations do not accept this theory! Let me assure you that the toxic gas theory is not just a theory anymore; it is pretty well proven to be the cause of crib death. During the "BabeSafe Campaign" not ONE baby died of crib death who slept on a wrapped mattress. Do not take this information lightly. The BabeSafe Campaign has been under way for well over 15 years. That's right: in 15 YEARS not ONE baby has died on a wrapped mattress. It is estimated that 200,000 babies have slept on wrapped mattresses. With a moderate SIDS rate of 1/1000 babies, statistically 200 babies should have died!

Answer 4

A lack of answers is part of what makes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) so frightening. SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants who are 1 month to 1 year old, and claims the lives of about 2,500 infants each year in the United States. It remains unpredictable despite years of research. Even so, you can take steps to help reduce the risk of SIDS in your infant. First and foremost, put your infant to sleep on his or her back if the baby is younger than 1 year old.

Answer 5

SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a fatal event that most often occurs to infants between one and twelve months of age while they are sleeping. Even after an autopsy, medical professionals cannot determine a cause for death...hence it being "sudden." :-(

Do the following to reduce the occurence of SIDS:

- put infants to sleep on their backs, not on their stomach
- make sure infants aren't overheated as they go to bed because they are wearing too much clothes
- do not smoke around infants

Answer 6

well, they say all sorts of things, but the best is to use your motherly instincts, but these are the current guidelines:

- Lay your baby on his back to sleep
- No toys, pillows, or bumpers in the crib
- Don't over-bundle your child
- Don't smoke when you're pregnant
- yea and don't drink alcohol either

Well...those are the biggest ones, as you visit the doctor and take any classes they will list hundreds of things, but those are the major ones. And also, don't shake your baby, but that's to prevent shaken baby syndrome and not SIDS

Answer 7

make sure the baby sleeps on their back they actually sell a little support cushion at walmart that keeps them in that position.. they also say not to bundle the baby up.. you know your baby.. if they are like a little furnace like my son was make sure to just put him to bed in something light I didn't ever put blankets on him.. then when it is cooler you can actually get zip up blankets at Sears that are supposed to help prevent SIDS.. just keep temp. low in the room and check on them often.. I know what your going thru my son was premature and came home on oxygen.. I was scared to death he would knock it off and not be able to breath and even when he came off it I was always worried about SIDS cause my grandma lost her first baby that way. All the best

Answer 8

Breastfeeding helps prevent SIDS and put the child to sleep on his/her back and do not use large blankets to may smother the baby while sleeping, try to put the baby to sleep in his or her own bed.

Good luck!

Answer 9

sudden infint death syndrome, apparently if a baby sucks a soother when sleeping it reminds them to breath which could prevent sids

Answer 10

There is a great article all about SIDS on babycenter.com here is the link: http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babyills/sids/419.html

Hope it helps..