Better to be on the Safe Side
SIDS is more prevalent on newborn to six-month old babies but there are incidences of SIDS which have been recorded in babies above 6 months of age. The condition however, lessens greatly once the child reaches a year old.
As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Here are some recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how to decrease the chances of your bundle of joy from becoming a victim of SIDS.
1.Don't let your baby sleep on his stomach. According to the AAP, babies who sleep on their stomachs are more prone to SIDS than infants who sleep on their backs.
2. Avoid soft surfaces. As much as possible, use a firm mattress with a tight bed sheet or cover. Never put your baby to sleep on soft blankets or bulky comforters.
3. Avoid surrounding him with stuffed toys, pillows and bumper guards. The aim is to prevent any of these things from smothering the infant or cutting off his supply of fresh air.
4. Kick the Habit. Second hand smoke is considered as one of the major risk factors for SIDS. Children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy are also more susceptible to SIDS than others.
5. Have your baby sleep in the same room. Nurseries are good but being able to check on your baby very often during the night helps a lot. A word of warning though, make sure that the baby sleeps in a separate bassinet or crib and not in the same bed as you.
While all of these tips may not stop SIDS from happening, being more vigilant in watching over your baby is already a big step in preventing it. Being mindful of how your baby sleeps and where you lay them are big steps in minimizing the occurrence of SIDS.
SIDS is more prevalent on newborn to six-month old babies but there are incidences of SIDS which have been recorded in babies above 6 months of age. The condition however, lessens greatly once the child reaches a year old.
As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Here are some recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how to decrease the chances of your bundle of joy from becoming a victim of SIDS.
1.Don't let your baby sleep on his stomach. According to the AAP, babies who sleep on their stomachs are more prone to SIDS than infants who sleep on their backs.
2. Avoid soft surfaces. As much as possible, use a firm mattress with a tight bed sheet or cover. Never put your baby to sleep on soft blankets or bulky comforters.
3. Avoid surrounding him with stuffed toys, pillows and bumper guards. The aim is to prevent any of these things from smothering the infant or cutting off his supply of fresh air.
4. Kick the Habit. Second hand smoke is considered as one of the major risk factors for SIDS. Children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy are also more susceptible to SIDS than others.
5. Have your baby sleep in the same room. Nurseries are good but being able to check on your baby very often during the night helps a lot. A word of warning though, make sure that the baby sleeps in a separate bassinet or crib and not in the same bed as you.
Kristy is a work at home mom of 2 and a writer. Need help choosing a new crib mattress? Make sure to check out top rated crib mattress. Read reviews on crib mattress at http://www.allcribmattresses.com
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