SIDS Prevention

[Olivia_T]

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!

 

[Autumntx]

Great post! My nephew passed away from sids and 2 friends of mine lost babies to this as well. Its very scary. One baby was napping in moms arms,one was sleeping on moms chest...not sure about the 3rd. Thanks for posting!

 

[Allie84]

That is useful, thanks. We plan on using a bassinet/pack n play for the first few months, in our room....are those considered 'safe'? Also, why are crib bumpers bad? We have one, but baby won't be in crib for a few months...I think I'll take it out, though, just to be safe!

 

[Srrme]

You do not have to avoid co-sleeping. It's not a risk as long as it's done properly, and safely.

 

[LakensMommy11]

Great post! I agree with the co-sleeping thing even though my son sleeps with me. I remember up until he was about 10 months old I would freak out and wake up every hour to make sure he was still breathing, on his back or side, and that the covers didn't somehow get up over his face. With this baby I hope to get a co-sleeper and keep the baby a bit away from me so I can get a little more rest than last time.

 

[Olivia_T]

That is useful, thanks. We plan on using a bassinet/pack n play for the first few months, in our room....are those considered 'safe'? Also, why are crib bumpers bad? We have one, but baby won't be in crib for a few months...I think I'll take it out, though, just to be safe!

Here is a little more info on the bumpers:

One reason child safety organizations recommend against crib bumpers is that they pose a risk of suffocation. Just like a pillow or thick blanket, crib bumper pads can restrict a baby's breathing if the bumper is up next to the baby's nose or mouth. Suffocation risk is greatest when babies are very young and unable to move themselves away from potential hazards.

A secondary risk with crib bumpers is strangulation. Babies can become entangled in the crib bumper or its ties, or can get between the bumper and the crib. A few crib bumpers have been recalled because of stitching or trim that can come loose. Those loose pieces also could cause injury.

Rebreathing of stale air is another concern with crib bumper pads. The bumper reduces the flow of fresh air around baby during sleep, particularly if his or her face is very close to the bumper. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that some infants, when they are overheated or lack sufficient oxygen during sleep, are unable to arouse themselves enough to prevent death. Re-breathing of stale air may be a contributing factor to SIDS.

In the official AAP policy statement on SIDS suggests that some babies are more prone to SIDS due to biological factors such as brainstem development or serotonin levels. However, the policy statement indicates that "more than one scenario of preexisting conditions and initiating events may lead to SIDS." It goes on to say that we cannot focus on only one potential cause for SIDS, because there isn't likely to be just one cause. We cannot know ahead of time whether a baby is predisposed to SIDS due to biological reasons. What we can do, and what AAP suggests, is to reduce all of the other environmental risk factors, including the use of crib bumpers.

 

[Olivia_T]

You do not have to avoid co-sleeping. It's not a risk as long as it's done properly, and safely.

There is some co sleeping equipment that is "safe" like co sleeping bassinets. There are also steps that one can take to make it safer...it's just my personal opinion though that it's a little too risky to co sleep with them in bed etc.

This advice is based on a professional's opinion based on research...but at the end of the day, it is still an opinion and you're completely entitled to your own

 

[steph.]

Hi Olivia, thanks so much for the post! I had no idea that bumpers werent allowed either. I know this is probably a stupid question but is it ok to wrap the baby in a cloth or something when it sleeps or are they better off just in their sleep suits?? My sister wrapped her baby until she was about 4 months old as it helped her settle...

 

[StranjeGirl]

Thank you for this post!!! I am curious too if it is ok to swaddle them and use a pack and play. Also what if they fall asleep in their car seat? Is that safe?

 

[mochapenguin]

Great info - thanks for the post!! Does your mom have advice on whether having a newborn sleep in his/her own room with a monitor is higher risk than having them sleep in the same room with the parents? I have found a lot of conflicting information online (though of course I plan on asking my own doctors), so I would love to hear another professional opinion.

 

[Srrme]

You do not have to avoid co-sleeping. It's not a risk as long as it's done properly, and safely.

There is some co sleeping equipment that is "safe" like co sleeping bassinets. There are also steps that one can take to make it safer...it's just my personal opinion though that it's a little too risky to co sleep with them in bed etc.

This advice is based on a professional's opinion based on research...but at the end of the day, it is still an opinion and you're completely entitled to your own

There has actually been studies that have proven that co-sleeping properly and safely (even in the parents bed) reduces the risks of SIDS.

But as you said, to each their own.

Co-sleeping helps your baby rouse himself: New research has shown that in most cases, SIDS is caused by a baby's inability to arouse himself from sleep. Normally, when something occurs that threatens your baby's well being, such as difficulty breathing, he will automatically wake up. For reasons that are still unknown, in some babies, this protective mechanism does not go off, and so these babies are more at risk for SIDS.

This is where the positive aspects of co-sleeping come in. Dr. James McKenna, director of the Mother-Baby Sleep Laboratory and Professor of Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame, has conducted numerous studies of mothers and babies who were co-sleeping and night nursing. His group of researchers found that mom and baby share similar patterns of sleep arousals, what we call "nighttime harmony." They drifted in and out of sleep stages in a similar, but not always identical, pattern. Some SIDS researchers believe that this is a factor in baby's protective arousal mechanism. This harmony may also be related to a psychological synchronicity between co-sleeping mothers and their babies: The co-sleeping mom is more likely to subconsciously sense if her baby's health is in danger and wake up.

Researchers also believe that the carbon dioxide you exhale when you sleep close to your baby may help stimulate her breathing. Plus, co-sleeping infants tend to automatically sleep on their back, in order to have easier access to nighttime feedings. Back sleeping has proved to be one of the top risk-reducers for SIDS. Meanwhile, babies who sleep separately from their moms have been shown to experience a decrease in the amount of REM sleep, the state of sleep in which protective arousal is the most likely to occur.

Co-sleeping is a common practice worldwide: The rate of SIDS is lowest in cultures that traditionally share sleep, such as Asian. While there could be many other factors contributing to the lower incidence of SIDS in these cultures, all the population studies I've seen have come to the same conclusion: Safe co-sleeping lowers the SIDS risk.

 

[Olivia_T]

Totally not dumb!!! I will ask my mom how to best answer since she is the expert

An important piece to point out again is that there is a common belief in the medical field that some babies are more predisposed, or susceptible, if you will, so SIDS. Many babies could sleep with a bumper or on their tummies and be fine...but we really don't know which babies are which so it is kind of about "better safe than sorry"

I think one thing to keep an eye on with swaddling is that the baby does not get to warm...so I would adjust their clothing as needed.

I will follow up with a better answer from her though. I think the key is likely proper swaddling!

 

[StranjeGirl]

Great post! My nephew passed away from sids and 2 friends of mine lost babies to this as well. Its very scary. One baby was napping in moms arms,one was sleeping on moms chest...not sure about the 3rd. Thanks for posting!

I can't believe you know 3 people who had to go through this I guess I thought this was more rare than it is. So sorry about your nephew. I can't imagine how devastating that must have been.

 

[Olivia_T]

Great info - thanks for the post!! Does your mom have advice on whether having a newborn sleep in his/her own room with a monitor is higher risk than having them sleep in the same room with the parents? I have found a lot of conflicting information online (though of course I plan on asking my own doctors), so I would love to hear another professional opinion.

She recommends in the same room with you for the first few months. Just not in bed. In a bassinet or co sleeper baby bed etc. She also said it help to have a fan in the room...not blowing on you or the baby but something to keep air circulating. The rebreathing of carbon dioxide is a concern so good air circulation is a plus!

I think sleeping on the car seat is fine...I will check though as she is the exper and not me. I am still learning too!

Maybe I will have her drop in on the thread and write a post

 

[Olivia_T]

Thank you for this post!!! I am curious too if it is ok to swaddle them and use a pack and play. Also what if they fall asleep in their car seat? Is that safe?

In one of the pack and play's with the bassinet? Or just a regular one? I think either are fine if baby is on their back with no other pieces around them.

 

[Olivia_T]

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. 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!

 

[Olivia_T]

Oops to amend above, all were in co sleeping or on bed, couch, parents chest...just not in a crib

 

[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.

 

[nickyXjayno]

how did baby die in sleep in your friends arms? she would have noticed his breathing and started resuscitation? also if bumpers are dangerous as they restrict air flow what about Moses baskets which are totally enclosed with no gaps in railings like crib? you missed out quite a lot in your list as was given one by my midwife. interestingly my midwife gave me an information sheet on co sleeping & the benefits of & how to do it correctly.

 

[babydream]

I'm a bit shocked how a couple of people here seem to be slagging off Olivia for this post. She stated the facts about medical research which are all correct. I'm a maternity nurse and must follow these guidelines at work and advise mums but it's entirely up to mum what she wants to do. Olivia also mentioned that everyone has diff opinions and didn't tell people to avoid co sleeping, the guideline does. If you want to do it then do it. She was only trying to help for crying out loud. If you don't like the guidelines Olivia listed here, go and do your own research. Dont argue with her, write to BMJ! This clearly shows that helping people is not always appreciated. Thank you olivia, I'll be a first time mum and although I know the guidelines most of us dont and it's certainly good to know what we SHOULD be avoiding. Maybe that 'should' clears the air here. Wow, I got peed off, must be the hormones!