S.I.D.S Prevention?

Question

I was wondering if it's true that pacifires cause SIDS? I've heard that they help prevent it and I've heard that they cause it. Whats everyones opinion on that? S.I.D.S terefies me so much I dont know what I'm going to do when my baby is born. I'm going to be a wreck being so paranoid. Not to mention my baby is going to be born in winter, and I read on the SIDS site that most babies die in the winter becuase there parents overdress them.

Answer 1

I think that in your case, what would help you the most is to stop reading.

The American Pediatrics studies have shown that pacifiers reduce the risk of SIDS.

My son was born in February, and I have heard nothing about most dying in the winter, but overdressing them isn't safe anyway. A sleeper is quite enough to keep them warm, unless the room is very cold. In that case, turn up the heat instead of adding more coverage to the baby.

Make sure that the sheet fits the matress snugly, and don't put any blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or bumper pads onto the crib until your baby is big enough to roll over purposfully, whenever he wants to.

Try not to stress too much, because that can make the baby anxious.

Answer 2

Hi, I am a mother of 3 (boys), and no, pacifiers do not cause SIDS! They can help prevent it, because it helps to keep the childs airways open while they sleep. I know that SIDS is scary, but it doesnt happen alot and as long as you do what the dr says, it shouldnt really be a problem. Two of my boys were born in the winter months, and there are just some extra precautions that you need to do with them to help make sure they are ok. First, always lay the baby on the back, never on their stomach (unless you are having tummy time and you are right next to them). Also, keep all blankets, pillows, and animals out the the crib. My dr also told me that if a baby gets too hot, that can cause SIDs. So, you are supposed to keep the baby in a room where it is under 80 degrees. Because your baby will be born in the winter, you might think they are cold. DO NOT cover them with blankets! Just put them in warmer jammies or a heavy sleeper. If you do these things, the chance of SIDs is reduced alot! Try not to worry too much, and enjoy your baby! I know that as a mom, you are going to worry to a point no matter how well you are prepared. I had my last son last year, and I still always checked on him to make sure hes ok, that what moms do!

Answer 3

I was also a nervous wreck when my son was an infant. I will tell you that all the stuff you read on the internet can just make you stress even more and you don't need that for sure. In my baby class I learned a few things. Don't overdress your baby he/she should be dressed like you with maybe one more light layer. When you get out of the car and go in the mall with your little one and you take off your coat, remember to take off their extra layers as well. I have seen a couple of reports on the news about pacifiers in both Canada and in the U.S. and both said that they believe pacifiers HELP in the prevention of SIDS. I also made the choice not to use a bumper pad, no blankets, comforters, pillows, stuffed animals etc. Just a onsie, and a warm sleeper again, depending on the temp in your house. In our baby class they said 72 degrees is good. Also smoking around baby or even smoke on clothes furniture etc is not good. In our baby class they also suggested that if say a family member who smokes wants to hold baby, you can give them a blanket to throw over their shoulder so your baby is not breathing in the smoke from their clothes. ALWAYS PUT YOUR BABY TO SLEEP ON THEIR BACK. Try to relax and remember that all moms go through this stress. You will start to relax about how you are taking care of your child when they turn 18 and then you will start to worry about how they are taking care of themselves. Welcome to parenthood.

Answer 4

Calm down SIDS is a wierd little thing and they really don't know exactly what causes it although smoking is a proven link and genetic disorders that go undiagnosed can play into it. You shouldn't let your baby sleep with anything in there mout for a # of reasons. Go over this concern with your peditrician and don't over stress yourself. This winter no blankets on your baby but dress baby in a warm sleeper or get a slumber sack for them to sleep in & keep you home warm. Baby will be waking you regularly to nurse or feed anyway and when they don't you wake anyhow just to find out why. Relax and trust God to give you strength as a new mom.

Answer 5

My baby was born in the winter too and I was terrified after hearing the awful stories of people losing their precious babies to SIDS. I tried to reassure myself by reminding myself that I had a good healthy baby and that the overall incidence od SIDS is pretty low.
This website has the official guidelines on reducing your risk...

Answer 6

I used a pacifier and my son is fine one year later and my doctor told me they help to prevent S.I.D.S. He was born in October and hated his bassinet so he had to sleep in his crib earlier than I wanted him to. My docotor told me that the sheets on his crib should fit snuggly, not to use pillows or blankets, and no toys in the bed. I also chose not to use a bumper pad in the crib.
It was very scary looking at my little angle in this huge bed all by himself with nothing but him and a sheet, but knowing that I was doing the best for him helped. I just dressed him in pj's that had feet in them and that were heavy enough to keep HIM warm, he is hot blooded like his parents so I only had to use the lightweight knit pj's all winter. Other baby's may require heavier pj's, it just depends on how warm your house is and how warm your baby is. I always had a onsie and socks on him under his pj's too and he did just fine.
But no matter what you will get up a million times a night just to check to make sure your baby is breathing, eventually you don't check as much but my mother told me that no matter how old your kids are you always check on them when they sleep lol (I'm 28 and she checked on me the last time I stayed the night a week ago lmao).
Welcome to motherhood and the best advice is to ask your childs doctor they will tell you what they feel is best.

Answer 7

i'm not sure about the pacifer thing but make sure your baby sleeps on their back at all times also make sure there isnt anything fluffy in the crib(ie pillows, big blankets, stuffed animals). as for what the baby needs to wear i always dressed my baby in a onesie and then put a pair of the footsie pajamas on her. i believe they also have some type of monitor you can by that goes off if your baby stops breathing...SIDS scared me too i would check her so much at night just to make sure she was still breathing.

Answer 8

Just as long as you put your baby to sleep on his/her back and don't have any pillows, stuffed animals, or blankets in their bed. Always remember that babies need to be dressed just like us. They don't need to be dressed anymore warmly than you would in the same environment. A onesie(if it's chilly), a sleeper/gown, and one receiving blanket to be swaddled in is just fine for sleeping in.

I've also heard that a baby could die from SIDS if they are sleeping in the same bed as their parent. I had a baby cousin who died from SIDS bc she was sleeping in the same bed as her mother. I think she kind of rolled to close and blocked off her air passages. I was always too scared to let my baby sleep in bed with me so maybe it is a good idea to just let them sleep in their own crib/bassinet.

Stop worrying about such bad things right before your baby is born!!! Focus on all the good things bc they don't stay babies forever :) If you are going to think about SIDS at all, think about how the number of cases has dropped DRAMATICALLY in the past decade...all thanks to "back to sleep" :)

Answer 9

Keep his/her airway clear...NO pillows or sheets on the crib..just a comforter..as a new mother you will be checking on the baby constantly..I guarantee it....

P.S. when I was 17 I was babysitting my cousin (a month or 2 old) all of a sudden I jumped up out of a sound teenage sleep to find my cousin fighting for air on a pillow....God watches over babies and fools, and he had two to work with that night.....its going to be OK.

Answer 10

The only 3 things my OB and peditrician stressed to me was sleeping on back, try to sleep with a pacifier and do not overheat (the room or the baby). It sounds callous and mean, but if it is going to happen there is not a lot you can do.