How To Keep Your New Baby From Sudden Death

Sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS or crib death is the inexplicable death, usually during sleep, of an apparently healthy child of 12 months or younger.

Put a sleeping baby on their back

A baby’s risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, SIDS, is much higher any time they sleep on their side or stomach. A baby placed on their side can roll over on their stomach. These positions put a baby’s face in the mattress or sleeping area, which can smother them.

Once a baby can roll over both ways, which usually happens around six months, they may not stay on their back. It is better to let them choose their sleep position once they know how to roll over.

Firm bed, no soft toys or bedding

To prevent smothering or suffocation, always lay your baby to sleep on either a firm mattress or surface in a crib or bassinet. All your baby’s crib needs is the fitted sheet – don’t put blankets, quilts, pillows and stuffed toys in your baby’s crib

Don’t smoke around your baby

Smoking is a hard habit to break, but it’s the single best thing a smoking mom can do for her baby, and herself. Infants born to moms who smoked during pregnancy have a 60 per cent higher chance of having low birth weight–a risk factor for SIDS.

 According to experts an estimated 20 percent of SIDS deaths could have been prevented simply by quitting smoking

Keep sleeping baby close

When a baby sleeps in the same room as their mom, studies show it lowers the risk of SIDS as the baby can easily be monitored.

Notwithstanding, a baby should not sleep on an adult bed, on a couch, or a chair alone, with you, or with anyone else, including siblings or pets. Couches and armchairs can also be dangerous for babies if adults fall asleep as they feed, comfort, or bond with the baby while on the surfaces.

Breastfeed as long as you can

 Breastfeeding has many health benefits for mothers and their babies.

Babies who breastfeed, or are fed breast milk, are at lower risk for SIDS than babies who were never fed breast milk. A longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding leads to an even lower risk.

Immunise babies

Evidence suggests that babies who’ve been immunised following medical recommendations have a 50 per cent reduced risk of SIDS compared with babies who aren’t fully immunised.

Keep baby from overheating

Overheating may raise a baby’s risk of SIDS. It is best to dress your infant in light, comfortable clothes for sleeping, and keep the room temperature at a level that’s comfortable for an adult.

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