SAFE SLEEP

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), can be described as every parent’s worst fear.  It is the sudden and unexplained death of a child under 1 year of age in their sleep.  In this post you will learn some useful tips to help you reduce the risk of SIDS in babies.

It is found that babies who sleep in the following conditions are LESS likely to die from SIDS.

Babies should sleep in a crib with a firm mattress and not on a couch or recliner.  The mattress should be covered with a tight sheet and there should be NO bumpers, pillows, blankets, stuffed animals or anything soft inside the crib.

Babies should be put to sleep on their backs.  They should be wearing a sleeper or a onesie and not be over bundled.  Babies that are overly dressed or overly warmed are shown to have a higher risk of SIDS.  They should not be swaddled in a blanket to sleep.

Don’t be afraid to let your child use a pacifier when they fall asleep.  In fact, there is a growing body of evidence to support pacifier use to reduce the risk of SIDS in babies.  Once they fall asleep, the pacifier will usually drop out of their mouths and can be safely scooped away.

In addition, some of the things parents can do as well is to ensure there are no smokers in the house and to refrain from allowing your baby to co-sleep with any adult (specifically an overtired or intoxicated individual).

Taking all these steps will help you keep your baby healthy, happy, and sleeping safely!

**Disclaimer – Any information found in these blog posts is only for informational purposes and not intended to replace the diagnosis and care of a physician.  Should you have any specific concerns about your child, please consult with your family doctor or pediatrician.