How to Prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

!±8± How to Prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

If you have landed on this page you are most likely worried about your infant developing SIDS. Here you will find out some things that can increase the risk of SIDS, and how to prevent SIDS.

According to the statistics, around 300 infants die every year in the UK from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), also known as cot death. Babies who were premature, had a low birth weight, or are between the ages of 1 and 4 months old are more at risk of SIDS. Boys are more at risk than girls.

Infants who die from SIDS appear to die painlessly in their sleep. SIDS can occur during any time that a baby sleeps, but according to statistics it usually occurs between midnight and 9am while baby is sleeping in their cot/crib.

There are things that can put a baby more at risk of SIDS. Those include allergies, bacterial and viral infections, an irregular heartbeat, accidental suffocation, unknown genetic conditions, and problems with the part of the brain that causes breathing, and overheating.

There are a few things you can do that can reduce the risk of SIDS. Those include:
Keeping your baby cool if they have a high temperature Keep your baby away from cigarette smoke (during pregnancy and after they are born) Don't let baby sleep with a pillow Ideally baby should sleep with their feet at the foot of the cot to prevent baby wriggling underneath the covers There should be no items in the cot (such as cuddly toys) as those could suffocate baby if they were to fall on baby's head The temperature of baby's room should be 18°C (temperatures between 16°C and 20°C is considered acceptable) Baby's should always sleep on their back If baby is unwell you should get medical attention straight away It is recommended to have your baby sleep in their cot in your bedroom for the first 6 months, before moving baby to their own room.

A baby sensor monitor would help to provide you with peace of mind while your little one sleeps as they monitor your baby's breathing/movements. If baby were to stop breathing an alarm would sound (usually after 20 seconds of no movement detected). A baby sensor monitor cannot directly prevent your baby from SIDS, but it could potentially help to save your baby if they were to stop breathing as the alarm will sound to alert you, and you can then take the appropriate procedures to help your little one.