SIDS Prevention

[Gretaa]

very useful information but i knew most of it as my mum's very thoughtful on things and she gave me millions of advices that even books can't tell.

 

[Olivia_T]

very useful information but i knew most of it as my mum's very thoughtful on things and she gave me millions of advices that even books can't tell.

Moms can be so helpful, can't they

 

[prettyflower7]

Hey there, im just ttc my 2nd child at the moment so not having to think about this at the moment but I have found it very informative...and Its good to have information from someone who knows so much about it too . I personally would never have my baby sleeping in the same bed as me. I didnt do it with my daughter> I don't smoke or drink but it just isnt a risk worth taking. Childs safety has to come first .

Thanks for all the information Olivia

 

[Olivia_T]

Hey there, im just ttc my 2nd child at the moment so not having to think about this at the moment but I have found it very informative...and Its good to have information from someone who knows so much about it too . I personally would never have my baby sleeping in the same bed as me. I didnt do it with my daughter> I don't smoke or drink but it just isnt a risk worth taking. Childs safety has to come first .

Thanks for all the information Olivia

Aww you're so welcome! Good luck with #2!! I hope you guys are blessed with another one soon!

 

[prayingforkid]

I have a question... what do you mean by overdressing the baby?? How much is too much to put on a newborn. Im terrified of SIDS

 

[Olivia_T]

I have a question... what do you mean by overdressing the baby?? How much is too much to put on a newborn. Im terrified of SIDS

The room should be a comfortable temp for an adult to be lightly clothed. Use good judgment...if the baby is flushed or feels really warm, they are likely overdressed.

Here is a really simple recap for you from the AAP

Prevention

Revised American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) guidelines, released in October 2005, recommend the following:

Always put a baby to sleep on its back. (This includes naps.) DO NOT put a baby to sleep on its stomach. Side sleeping is unstable and should also be avoided. Allowing the baby to roll around on its tummy while awake can prevent a flat spot (due to sleeping in one position) from forming on the back of the head.

Only put babies to sleep in a crib. NEVER allow the baby to sleep in bed with other children or adults, and do NOT put them to sleep on surfaces other than cribs, like a sofa.

Let babies sleep in the same room (NOT the same bed) as parents. If possible, babies cribs should be placed in the parents' bedroom to allow for night-time feeding.

Avoid soft bedding materials. Babies should be placed on a firm, tight-fitting crib mattress with no comforter. Do not use pillows, comforters, or quilts.

Make sure the room temperature is not too hot. The room temperature should be comfortable for a lightly-clothed adult. A baby should not be hot to the touch.

Offer the baby a pacifier when going to sleep. Pacifiers at naptime and bedtime can reduce the risk of SIDS. Doctors think that a pacifier might allow the airway to open more, or prevent the baby from falling into a deep sleep. A baby that wakes up more easily may automatically move out of a dangerous position. If the baby is breastfeeding, it is best to wait until 1 month before offering a pacifier, so that it doesn’t interfere with breastfeeding. Do not force a baby to use a pacifier.

Do not use breathing monitors or products marketed as ways to reduce SIDS. In the past, home apnea (breathing) monitors were recommended for families with a history of the condition. But research found that they had no effect, and the use of home monitors has largely stopped.

Other recommendations from SIDS experts:

* Keep your baby in a smoke-free environment.
* Breastfeed your baby, if possible -- breastfeeding reduces some upper respiratory infections that may influence the development of SIDS.
* NEVER give honey to a child less than 1 year old -- honey in very young children may cause infant botulism, which may be associated with SIDS.

 

[prayingforkid]

Thank you very much!

 

[Olivia_T]

Sure thing!

 

[flippityflop]

I don't want to throw a spanner in the works, I'm a first timer so have no experience, but I thought SIDS was unexplained death in a child and they often don't know what happened. Or have I got that all wrong? I just think how can we mums prevent something we ultimately have no control over? Surely its the same as trying to stop our 3 year old from developing leukimea? I'm not saying I won't be following all these pointers, because I will. It just makes me worry that I bet there are Mums, even here on BnB, who have lost a child to SIDS even though they followed best practice guidelines because SIDS is unexplained and we ultimately have no control over it?

 

[amandad192]

Olivia_T is all your post copy and pasted or have you typed some of it yourself?

I completely disagree with the part about not using a breathing monitor. For SOME parents the reassurance of an alarm going off if their baby stops breathing helps them sleep. When they then wake to feed baby they are better rested than if they hadn't had the monitor and may make it less likely that they fall asleep feeding baby on the sofa and accidently suffocate their baby. (I have no evidence for this, I'm just thinking logically.- I have seen parents on here say that having a monitor has helped them stop worrying about baby and go to sleep.)

It also gives a MUCH quicker response time to allow a baby to be resuscitated if needed. It's quite obvious that there is a much higher chance of saving a babys life after a minute without oxygen than an hour.

 

[Olivia_T]

I don't want to throw a spanner in the works, I'm a first timer so have no experience, but I thought SIDS was unexplained death in a child and they often don't know what happened. Or have I got that all wrong? I just think how can we mums prevent something we ultimately have no control over? Surely its the same as trying to stop our 3 year old from developing leukimea? I'm not saying I won't be following all these pointers, because I will. It just makes me worry that I bet there are Mums, even here on BnB, who have lost a child to SIDS even though they followed best practice guidelines because SIDS is unexplained and we ultimately have no control over it?

Yup I do think you have a point in that you could do everything "right" and it's still not totally preventable. Very true!

There was a time when very little was known about SIDS but as time goes on, they learn more and more. The tips aren't a "cure" for SIDS but they are preventative measures to take to give your child the best chance...if that makes sense. There is a level of control in some situations.

I CERTAINLY mean no offense to anyone who sadly had to endure something like that. But I would imagine that everyone would be a proponent for at least TRYING to take the best precautions out there. I totally understand that the "best" precautions is subjective for some people...but I think everyone wants to be as safe as they can be

 

[amandad192]

I don't want to throw a spanner in the works, I'm a first timer so have no experience, but I thought SIDS was unexplained death in a child and they often don't know what happened. Or have I got that all wrong? I just think how can we mums prevent something we ultimately have no control over? Surely its the same as trying to stop our 3 year old from developing leukimea? I'm not saying I won't be following all these pointers, because I will. It just makes me worry that I bet there are Mums, even here on BnB, who have lost a child to SIDS even though they followed best practice guidelines because SIDS is unexplained and we ultimately have no control over it?

Yup I do think you have a point in that you could do everything "right" and it's still not totally preventable. Very true!

There was a time when very little was known about SIDS but as time goes on, they learn more and more. The tips aren't a "cure" for SIDS but they are preventative measures to take to give your child the best chance...if that makes sense. There is a level of control in some situations.

I CERTAINLY mean no offense to anyone who sadly had to endure something like that. But I would imagine that everyone would be a proponent for at least TRYING to take the best precautions out there. I totally understand that the "best" precautions is subjective for some people...but I think everyone wants to be as safe as they can be

I think a large part of the problem is that death by accidental suffication is often recorded as a case of SIDs.
SIDs guidlelines recommend no cot bumpers..but I have never seen proof taht the use of a cot bumper increases the risk of SIDs, only increasing the risk of accidental suffication.

 

[heaven]

Hey ladies...I know some of this might be common knowledge, but I thought I would still share....

I am lucky enough that my mom is a SIDS prevention nurse and has helped me so much prepare for my daughter and make sure I take all the right precautions:

Here are some of the big ones....

1. No bumper in the crib! They might look cute but they are a SIDS hazard.
2. Avoid co sleeping. No sleeping on beds, couches, pillows etc. Babies should sleep on their back on a firm surface with no blankets, pillows, stuffed animals etc. Just a well fitted sheet!
3. Don't overdress a baby at night. Overheating can be dangerous for baby.
4. Breastfeed if possible
5. Keep infant away from second hand smoke.
6. Pacifiers are a good idea once breastfeeding has been established.

If anyone wants more info on any of these, I'd be happy to share it!

I hope no one gets offended by this post...I am not trying to tell anyone how to raise their child.

My mom explained to me that there are lots and lots of babies who could sleep on their tummies or co sleep etc and be perfectly fine. But there is no way to tell the difference between a baby who will be fine and a baby who will fall victim to SIDS so there is no reason to take unnecessary risks.

In the past 2.5 years in the county my mom works in, no baby has died from SIDS in their crib!! All the deaths have been on couches, beds, pillows, co sleeping situations etc.

Anyway, I hope no one thinks I am preaching. I just know we all love our babies and I hope everyone has healthy happy babies

Best wishes to EVERYONE!

Thanks, I have a 9 year old and I had always thought that SIDS was from something blocking the airway of the baby. I got confused on the subject after that Natalie Portman movie where her baby died of it. I am still confused but don't want to look it up, b/c it is so sad.

 

[Olivia_T]

I don't want to throw a spanner in the works, I'm a first timer so have no experience, but I thought SIDS was unexplained death in a child and they often don't know what happened. Or have I got that all wrong? I just think how can we mums prevent something we ultimately have no control over? Surely its the same as trying to stop our 3 year old from developing leukimea? I'm not saying I won't be following all these pointers, because I will. It just makes me worry that I bet there are Mums, even here on BnB, who have lost a child to SIDS even though they followed best practice guidelines because SIDS is unexplained and we ultimately have no control over it?

Yup I do think you have a point in that you could do everything "right" and it's still not totally preventable. Very true!

There was a time when very little was known about SIDS but as time goes on, they learn more and more. The tips aren't a "cure" for SIDS but they are preventative measures to take to give your child the best chance...if that makes sense. There is a level of control in some situations.

I CERTAINLY mean no offense to anyone who sadly had to endure something like that. But I would imagine that everyone would be a proponent for at least TRYING to take the best precautions out there. I totally understand that the "best" precautions is subjective for some people...but I think everyone wants to be as safe as they can be

I think a large part of the problem is that death by accidental suffication is often recorded as a case of SIDs.
SIDs guidlelines recommend no cot bumpers..but I have never seen proof taht the use of a cot bumper increases the risk of SIDs, only increasing the risk of accidental suffication.

Totally right that SIDS and suffocation are different. I apologize if I lumped the safety precautions together.

You're also very right that I don't think "proof" exists....I believe that the prevailing idea though is that SIDS can be related to a rebreathing of carbon dioxide and with babies being obligate nose breathers, if for whatever reason their face ends up too close to a bumper pad, it can increase the rebreathing of CO2 and potentially contribute to a death that would fall under the SIDS category as an autopsy would not be able to show cause of death being rebreathing CO2.

That is how I understand bumpers and their connection to SIDS.

 

[Olivia_T]

Sorry meant to say amandad, the monitor part is a copy and paste from the AAP guidelines. I did not write that.

That "prevention" piece is all AAP guidelines.

I don't know much about those personally nor have I discussed them with my mom to this point.

 

[mrs.leahy]

What about avoiding the secondhand smoke? My husband is a smoker, but he always smoke outside the house. Is that OK? I'm the secondhand smoker actually in that case, so I should avoid my baby? I don't understand

 

[JackiePed]

Mrs. Leahy, it didn't say avoid 'secondhand smokers'... it was 'secondhand smoke'... so for example your husband should never ever smoke around baby, in the house, in the car, and even would do well to change clothes after smoking or protect his clothes and hair with some sort of smoking cover-up (a hoodie, jacket, etc...) and wash up very well after smoking.

 

[Stormynights]

First off, I want to say thank you very much!
I have a question about circulating air, can you use a ceiling fan? Or is the air blowing on the baby bad? I think I'm also going to buy a monitor... just in case.

 

[flippityflop]

I CERTAINLY mean no offense to anyone who sadly had to endure something like that. But I would imagine that everyone would be a proponent for at least TRYING to take the best precautions out there. I totally understand that the "best" precautions is subjective for some people...but I think everyone wants to be as safe as they can be

I know you meant no offence to anyone, I don't think anything you said would have caused offense - its was just me thinking aloud - and worrying that I could do everything right and still lose a baby to SIDS. I doubt I will ever stop worrying but I was talking to my OH last night and he asked, at what age can we stop worrying about SIDS? Do you know?

I also wanted to say thanks, but I forgot in my first post!

 

[mrs.leahy]

Thank you for the explanation. I got it know. I will definetely make sure he won't smoke and touch our baby.

Anybody know what monitor is best for preventing sids? The one that you put under the mattress or just a regular baby monitor?

Mrs. Leahy, it didn't say avoid 'secondhand smokers'... it was 'secondhand smoke'... so for example your husband should never ever smoke around baby, in the house, in the car, and even would do well to change clothes after smoking or protect his clothes and hair with some sort of smoking cover-up (a hoodie, jacket, etc...) and wash up very well after smoking.