SIDS

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome): A Baby’s Nightmare

Until now, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS continues to mystify moms and dads around the world. SIDS is not a kind of illness or contagious disease. It is a sudden, unexplained death of an infant under one year of age. At the moment, SIDS is the leading cause of death among babies from one month to one year of age. What makes this syndrome more appalling is that it strikes without warning. Even healthy babies are easy targets.

The root cause of SIDS, also known as crib death, remains unexplainable even by medical experts. However, they were able to pinpoint possible causes of SIDS through years of research and study. Some say that it is caused by an abnormality in the area of the brain stem which controls the carbon dioxide intake of the baby.

Whenever a baby inhales excess carbon dioxide, the brain stem urges the baby to wake up. However, if there are defects in the brain stem, the baby will not be able to wake up. He, sooner or later, will continue to breathe in the deadly gas and die. Another cause researchers are looking at is the blood pressure control of a baby. Blood pressure, on the average, falls whenever a baby sleeps.

Some babies just do not have the ability to regain that sudden loss of blood pressure. As a result, blood supply to critical organs is being prevented which later cause system failure for babies. Other probable factors that cause crib deaths lie in the hands of the mothers. These factors are: smoking, drinking, or taking in drugs while pregnant, being exposed to smoke before giving birth, pre-mature birth, and poor prenatal care. Other medical experts relate SIDS to overheating babies from sleepwear and bedding, tummy sleeping, and bottle feeding.

On the other hand, here are some tips to help reduce risk of SIDS:

Visit your doctor often. Have your prenatal check-ups scheduled to learn more ways on how to take care of yourself and the baby inside you.
Do not smoke, drink, or take any drugs that are not prescribed by your doctor. Avoid being exposed to places where smoke is present.
Don’t let your baby sleep on his tummy. Place your baby on his back at all times especially when sleeping. Babies who sleep on their stomachs have higher risks of SIDS.
Make sure your crib mattress is flat and firm. Use bedding that fits tightly into the mattress to avoid possible suffocation.
Do not lay your baby in a soft surface. Avoid using pillows, blankets, quilt, and other soft-surfaced beddings.
Do not overheat your baby. Choose light clothing for your baby and keep his room temperature comfortable—not too warm nor too cold.
Breast feed your baby or use pacifiers when lulling them to sleep.
Make sure your baby’s clothing, bedding, and blankets are chemical-free. Studies show that substances from fabric softener and perfumes depress the baby’s nervous system.
If you have a baby sitter, make sure you educate her about your baby’s proper sleeping position and other baby care tips.