What are the risk factors of SIDS, and how can you try to avoid it?

Question

I just found out that a woman that I know's daughter (who is just two weeks older than mine) has just died from SIDS. I know that the cause of SIDS is "unknown", but are there risk factors, or things to do to try to prevent such a horrible thing?

Answer 1

Go to the First Candle website. They have all the latest information.

Answer 2

Research, guesses, opinions, everyone has one. The above info, as far as lying the child on it's back has shown to have a decrease in SIDS. But if you want to hear from a person of experience, my mother, who has been a La Leche League Leader for over 45 years, counseled 1000's of new mothers and has had 14 children of her own. Sadly she lost one of the twins to SIDS, 50+ years ago. Her expert opinion and advise, is to keep the child either in your bed or in the same room, so that they can hear others breathing, and they will do the same. For all the moms to be, learn all you can about breastfeeding BEFORE the baby comes, it is hard work, but if a study has ever been done, I bet it would state that SIDS incidents are lowest with breastfed babies. So.. ladies .. don't hate, just become informed!! :)

Answer 3

Many experts believe that SIDS happens when a baby with an underlying abnormality (for example, a brain defect that affects breathing) sleeps tummy down or is faced with an environmental condition such as secondhand smoke during a critical period of growth. Place your infant face up to sleep with no pillow.

Answer 4

Suffocation (no blankets or toys in crib)
Too warm (keep child's room at a comfortable temperature)
Sleeping on Tummy (make sure they sleep on their BACK!)

Use a sleepsack by the Halo company. It's a wearable blanket. That way you don't have to concern yourself with the possibility of your baby having a blanket over their head when they sleep. They are even recommended by The SIDS Foundation. You can find them at JCPenny, Sears, any upscale retail store.

Answer 5

Recently studies have shown that second hand smoke may be linked to sids. Definately no extra's in the crib. A blanket sleeper is pajamas that are made of blanket material but fit the child like PJs so then you don't need to put extra blankets in the crib. Don't make yourself crazy worring about it because I don't really think it is in our control. We all do the best we can and if our baby dies it doesn't make it our fault.

Answer 6

SIDS is limited to the first year of life with 90% happening before the age of five months. Extremely rare after six months. Make sure your baby sleeps on his/her back. Baby should be covered but not overly warm. Allow nothing to be close to mouth nose. Since physicians have been instructing mothers to lay baby on their backs SIDS rate has declined 60%.

Answer 7

Being BORN is a risk factor in iteself and no matter what you do or don't do or try to avoid it if it is meant to happen to your child it will. You can take every precatuion ever written since the dawn of time on the subject and that won't keep it from happening. You have to just live your live and don't live it in fear otherwise you will never enjoy this time with your baby.

Answer 8

Giving your baby a pacifier helps to reduce the risk of SIDS. I'm not sure why or how and always put your baby on his/her back when you put them down to sleep.

Answer 9

I have done alot of research on this because i was so paranoid i could not sleep when i had my baby. It normally happens to babies who are premature, live in or is around cigarette smoke. babies whose mothers smoked during pregnancy, Babies who are born with lots of sickness or problems and Babbie's who get smothered in there sleep. No one knows the exact cause or the exact way to keep it from happening. These are just things according to statistics. You can prevent these things by not placing your baby in a crib with pillows or stuffed toys. Dont make the baby to bundled up or too warm, Dont smoke while pregnant and dont smoke around the baby or allow anyone else to. hope this helps.

Answer 10

to prevent SIDS don't smoke around your baby and when your baby goes to sleep make sure you take ALL stuffed toys, pillow, fluffy blankets and comforters out of the sleeping area to prevent suffocation.

Answer 11

Do not let your baby sleep in your bed with you. Pillows and blankets can suffocate the baby. This is why SIDS happens. This is also the reason we don't put blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals in the crib with babies. It is very stressful to think about especially with your first baby. Just take it day by day.