SIDS Prevention

[roomaloo]

I see, thanks.

 

[vikirose]

"I will say that in the past 2.5 years in the county my mother works in, every single SIDS death happened in a co sleeping situation. I know that there are plenty of other factors that can contribute as well, but I think it is worth mentioning and considering"

Sorry I'm just curious, what country is it your mum works in? x

 

[nixy0306]

Good thread ladies as its obviously something everyone worries about be it their first, second third child etc....
As this is my first child i think this is one thing that will really worry me when i first bring my little lady home...I'm sure i'll get no sleep for the first few weeks just by wanting to be awake to keep checking on her but hopefullyi won't be as bad as i think!
Just a quick question re the original post about no blankets in the crib.... As i am having a winter baby (think most of us on here will be) how do we keep baby warm on a night? I thought the cellular blankets were safe to use on a night but now i don't know! Anyone have any advice on this please?
Thanks!

 

[Olivia_T]

Good thread ladies as its obviously something everyone worries about be it their first, second third child etc....
As this is my first child i think this is one thing that will really worry me when i first bring my little lady home...I'm sure i'll get no sleep for the first few weeks just by wanting to be awake to keep checking on her but hopefullyi won't be as bad as i think!
Just a quick question re the original post about no blankets in the crib.... As i am having a winter baby (think most of us on here will be) how do we keep baby warm on a night? I thought the cellular blankets were safe to use on a night but now i don't know! Anyone have any advice on this please?
Thanks!

It is recommended in the winter to keep the room temp around 68-70 degrees F. At that point my mom recommends just a sleeper outfit over their onesie or shirt. I have some nice little fleece sleeper outfits that I plan to use.

 

[Olivia_T]

Thank you to all the ladies who posted their support...

As I tried to state, I am not trying to tell anyone how to raise their children or that I know better than them.

I just felt that I was in a lucky position to have an expert on the matter so close to me and I hoped to share some information that could potentially help some of you ladies and your babies.

My apologies to those who were offended by me sharing info.

For the ladies asking about Moses baskets, I will ask today!

And my mom works in the US but I said her county not country. She serves a particular area in our state.

 

[Srrme]

Srrme - I know the co sleeping this is a debated topic. I am truly not telling you you are wrong

I will say that in the past 2.5 years in the county my mother works in, every single SIDS death happened in a co sleeping situation. I know that there are plenty of other factors that can contribute as well, but I think it is worth mentioning and considering.

Studies definitely conflict:

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexpected death of a seemingly healthy infant during sleep. Although the exact causes of SIDS are largely unknown, a recent study released by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found over half of SIDS cases occurred while the baby was co-sleeping with an adult or another child. Of those deaths, many occurred in a potentially hazardous environment, such as in a bed or on a sofa with an individual who had recently used drugs or alcohol. This is the latest argument in a long-running debate on the connection between co-sleeping and the mysterious and devastating occurrence of SIDS.
Does Co-Sleeping Cause SIDS?
In addition to the new study by the BMJ, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) cites another study conducted by the European Concerted Action on SIDS that found co-sleeping was a significant risk factor among infants up to 8 weeks of age. Other studies have also suggested the risk of SIDS increases the longer bed sharing lasts during the night, when there are multiple bed-sharers, if the mother or bed-sharer is a smoker. The AAP also strongly discourages sleeping with an infant on a couch, as this has been shown to be extremely hazardous.

I think it is good either way people choose, that it be something they research so I think it is good to talk about even if opinions differ!

I'm aware of that, but I don't think it's fair for you to tell them to "avoid" co-sleeping altogether.

That study is not comparable to what I posted, because it's basing it off of people who co-sleep while under the influence, etc. Obviously it's not safe to ever sleep with your baby while under the influence of drugs, or do anything with your baby for that matter, and it's also obviously not safe to put a baby in the same bed as a child.

Anyway, I was not trying to debate you, but you might scare people off from co-sleeping if they had planned to do so.

Isn't this the issue though? People who have researched co-sleeping know how to do it correctly, and would know therefore that it doesn't increase the risk of SIDS......whereas those who think it's 'safe' whilst not really understanding it, and taking it as literally 'sleeping with your baby' are the ones who potentially put their LOs at risk of suffocation. I personally think that the whole 'co-sleeping is perfectly safe' message can be dangerous because the concept of co-sleeping seems pretty simple & really, parents could easily have their newborn in bed with them, duvets and pillows included, thinking it is 'safe' when they are dangerously misinformed!

Very helpful post IMO.

I didn't say it was "perfectly safe" off the bat. I said co-sleeping is not a risk as long as it's done properly and safely.

And to everyone thinking we were arguing, we honestly weren't.

 

[vikirose]

Ah, so you did say county, sorry !!
I was just asking as there is evidence that in some countries over others co sleeping has been proven to be safer. In the UK the rate of SIDs amongst co-sleeping asian communities is lower than in european and afro carrabean peoples due to the the non drinking and smoking practices amongst asian mothers! This is apparently also true of Japan and Hong Kong. In a study released by the FSID a group of well repected recearchers from Bristol Uni confirmed over a 4 yr study (that allowed them access to the scene of death within hours of the tragedy to speak to parents) that both co-sleeping and cot sleeping had resulted in roughly the same amount of deaths! But what the researchers had found interesting is that amongst the co-sleeping parents almost all of them admitted to either having drank alchohol or actually taken drugs. And 7 of the cases which were listed as a co-sleeping related death were actually babys taken from the crib (as their parents thought safer) to breast feed on a couch or sat up in bed and then the mothers had fallen asleep to wake to find their baby had died.
There is scientific proof that PROPERLY DONE co-sleeping is safer than crib sleeping in that 1; Infants who sleep next to adults maintain a more stable temperature 2; They have more regular heart rythems and fewer gaps in breathing than baby's who sleep alone 3;The carbon dioxide breathed by the parent actually stimulates the babys breathing. The list goes on..
I'm not arguing with the o.p, I think it's great we share info with eachother! I'm just wondering if more could be done to educate people about safe co-sleeping in areas where it's obvs a cause of suffocation??

 

[Olivia_T]

I have a couple updates from my mom....I forgot to ask about the Moses basket...I'm asking her that one now. I will update soon....but here is her answer for those who asked about swaddling and the car seat and a little more on co sleeping (just her opinion!)


Swaddling
"Swaddling is fine if the blanket/garment doesn’t get too close to the face. Again, keeping babies from overheating is crucial to SIDs prevention so if the infant is swaddled, the room should be kept cool."

Car Seat Sleeping
"Sleeping in the car seat is not the best idea. There was a study that showed that in young infants, when they are kept in car seats for 30 minutes or longer, their oxygen saturation goes down quite a bit. It might not be really high risk but why let your baby’s breathing be compromised? That being said, people have to drive places and babies fall asleep! Some things can never totally be avoided and there are lots of judgment calls to be made. We don't live in a perfect world so babies will inevitably end up sleeping in their car seats."


Co-Sleeping
"Some people think that the only issue with co-sleeping is the rollover by the parent. The other thing that makes it risky is that any soft bedding surface (like an adult bed, couch, etc) can compromise the airway of the baby. Babies are obligate nose breathers and when their nose is blocked , the mouth is not the best airway. Studies have proven that babies who sleep in a crib or bassinet close to Mom’s bed get the benefit of Mom’s closeness but there is no possibility of rollover and compromised airway unless you use pillows, blankets, stuffed animals or place the baby on it’s tummy."

" As far as safe co-sleeping, by the time you make it safe in the adult bed, you’ve lost the very benefits you hoped to gain. So you might as way put them in a bassinet right next to Mom’s side of the bed. That way, everybody is safe."

And again, I just want to reiterate, none of this is a mandate for anyone! It's just a professional's opinion....but she's not just a professional, she's a grandmother who wants to keep her grandchildren safe. I believe that is everyone's ultimate goal or should be and her hope and mine is that everyone have healthy babies and live wonderful lives

 

[Olivia_T]

Good thread ladies as its obviously something everyone worries about be it their first, second third child etc....
As this is my first child i think this is one thing that will really worry me when i first bring my little lady home...I'm sure i'll get no sleep for the first few weeks just by wanting to be awake to keep checking on her but hopefullyi won't be as bad as i think!
Just a quick question re the original post about no blankets in the crib.... As i am having a winter baby (think most of us on here will be) how do we keep baby warm on a night? I thought the cellular blankets were safe to use on a night but now i don't know! Anyone have any advice on this please?
Thanks!

We are having a winter baby....my mom recommended keeping the room around 68-70 degrees F and then dressing them for bed in something like this

https://www.carters.com/null/Microf...efault,pd.html?cgid=carters-baby-girl-pajamas

If you think it's particularly cold, you can layer them with something underneath but I don't think they get as cold as we might think.

 

[Amethyste]

Thanks for the infos !! But cellular baby blankets were pretty safe if used correctly, i mean the place the baby with their feet to the foot of the cot, to prevent them wriggling down under the covers, and tuck the covers and leave the arms on top.

Concerning co sleeping, someone posted this today on one of the tread. It was still open in my window so i though i might as well share.
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3400027.stm

 

[Fruitmash]

I really hope using blankets is safe, there is no way for me to regulate the temperature in my flat and if I don't open the window a bit, it's too stuffy for even me to breathe >.< I would have thought blankets are fine if tucked under a babies arms and not put near their face. I'm really glad that I found this thread, my mum lost a baby to SIDS and the last thing I wanna do is knowlingly put my child at risk.

 

[vikirose]

I disagree that by the time you've made the bed safe you may as well put them in a crib anyway!! How have you lost the benefits you and baby gain??? That comment doesn't actually make sense!.....mum learning to sleep without a pillow or with thicker PJ's on instead of a heavy quilt doesn't take away from anything at all!! Besides remember the dangers of getting up in the night to feed a baby...7 of those babys who died in the Bristol recearch were taken from a crib by mums who were exhausted from getting up to feed them and died whilst being fed as their Mums had fallen asleep. If the bed is made safe it makes a hell of lot more sence to feed them laying down in your 'safe' bed and drifting back to sleep. Like I said before the issue isn't co-sleeping, it's other influences mainly alchohol and sleeping drugs.
I was also married into a british asian family for 15 yrs where every single baby in the family, relatives, ansestors and friends of the family slept with their parents as it's the done thing. It was totally expected of me by all of his nosey family to sleep with baby including the G.P amongst his cousins!
You don't have to choose co-sleeping but what worries me is that your putting your Mums words across as Fact and some people who come on here may be put off trying co-sleeping or taking baby into bed for them when it may be the best thing they could do at that time..in the case of a restless baby sometimes being in MUms bed is the only thing that helps. It can't be put across as a total no-no!!
Like you say we all just want to do what's best for our baby.
I'm really glad for some advice but I'm afraid I have to disagree on this one...sorry hun!!

 

[Fruitmash]

I had no idea that people felt so strongly on co-sleeping, I'd never heard of it until I joined BnB. Surely (like with most things) it's use your common sence?? If you feel you can do it right then go for it, if you don't think you can don't risk it?? Personally, I wouldn't do it. I'm a roller . I squish OH, atleast he's big enough to take it haha!! Presides, my mum's buying us a moses basket and they're tiny, gonna get my moneys worth with that one But all the debate aside, the list is very helpful to all, even if you're only taking away a point or two.

 

[Sherileigh]

I really hope using blankets is safe, there is no way for me to regulate the temperature in my flat and if I don't open the window a bit, it's too stuffy for even me to breathe >.< I would have thought blankets are fine if tucked under a babies arms and not put near their face. I'm really glad that I found this thread, my mum lost a baby to SIDS and the last thing I wanna do is knowlingly put my child at risk.

From what I understand and what I did with DS, you can use a sleeping bag or sleepy sac. Those can't bunch up around their faces.

 

[Fruitmash]

I really hope using blankets is safe, there is no way for me to regulate the temperature in my flat and if I don't open the window a bit, it's too stuffy for even me to breathe >.< I would have thought blankets are fine if tucked under a babies arms and not put near their face. I'm really glad that I found this thread, my mum lost a baby to SIDS and the last thing I wanna do is knowlingly put my child at risk.

From what I understand and what I did with DS, you can use a sleeping bag or sleepy sac. Those can't bunch up around their faces.

I was hoping to avoid them 'cause I personally think they look silly, but I have to admit, that's a very smart idea. Ahh well, no one sees baby sleeping and atleast it'll be safe!! Thank you for the tip

 

[Sherileigh]

I really hope using blankets is safe, there is no way for me to regulate the temperature in my flat and if I don't open the window a bit, it's too stuffy for even me to breathe >.< I would have thought blankets are fine if tucked under a babies arms and not put near their face. I'm really glad that I found this thread, my mum lost a baby to SIDS and the last thing I wanna do is knowlingly put my child at risk.

From what I understand and what I did with DS, you can use a sleeping bag or sleepy sac. Those can't bunch up around their faces.

I was hoping to avoid them 'cause I personally think they look silly, but I have to admit, that's a very smart idea. Ahh well, no one sees baby sleeping and atleast it'll be safe!! Thank you for the tip

You can get really cute ones now! Wait until you see your all snugged up safely in one with their little arms poking out. So cute!

 

[Amethyste]

I really hope using blankets is safe, there is no way for me to regulate the temperature in my flat and if I don't open the window a bit, it's too stuffy for even me to breathe >.< I would have thought blankets are fine if tucked under a babies arms and not put near their face. I'm really glad that I found this thread, my mum lost a baby to SIDS and the last thing I wanna do is knowlingly put my child at risk.

I have the same problem as i don't control the central heating in my flat and it is not on all the time ! I can put the radiator down but that is it. I will def start to check the temperature of the flat before the baby is born anyway.

 

[Fruitmash]

I really hope using blankets is safe, there is no way for me to regulate the temperature in my flat and if I don't open the window a bit, it's too stuffy for even me to breathe >.< I would have thought blankets are fine if tucked under a babies arms and not put near their face. I'm really glad that I found this thread, my mum lost a baby to SIDS and the last thing I wanna do is knowlingly put my child at risk.

I have the same problem as i don't control the central heating in my flat and it is not on all the time ! I can put the radiator down but that is it. I will def start to check the temperature of the flat before the baby is born anyway.

I don't even have central heating here!! We have lots of heaters and stuff so I'm hoping it won't be an issue but there is no way I'm not going to wrap my baby in something, I'll feel like a terrible mum, just leaving LO to freeze haha. Hopefully will be out of here soon though

 

[JaydensMommy1]

For those concerned about bumpers- there are mesh ones that ate 100% safe.

 

[Olivia_T]

Vikirose, thanks for your feedback...if you refer to my posts I have made quite sure to assert numerous times that I am sharing a professional opinion...never have I called any of these facts.

I will shortly attach a PDF from the American Academy of Pediatrics that I feel calls out the information that my mother is trying convey.

As always, I am not trying to tell anyone how to raise their child. I also understand now that co sleeping is a sensitive topic for some which is fine. Everyone is completely entitled.

Her intention is to be helpful and she comes from over 20 years of experience so certainly she is not trying to disseminate opinions with bad intentions or ones without personal experience.