October is SIDS awareness month

Although it’s difficult to even think about, educating ourselves about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is crucial. SIDS is an unspeakable tragedy for any parent to endure, but there are steps you can take to significantly reduce your child’s risk. For instance, death rates from SIDS have dropped by almost half since the Back to Sleep Campaign was launched in 1994 recommending that parents put their children to sleep on their backs instead of their stomachs.

Those first few months after your baby is born usually fluctuate between bliss and terror. On the one hand, you are overjoyed to have this new little bundle of miraculous life in your care. On the other hand, you feel the weight of that responsibility and want to do anything you can to protect your child. SIDS seems to come out of nowhere, which can make parents feel very helpless.

When my first son was born I would get up many times in the night to make sure he was still breathing.  It was exhausting and emotionally draining, and eventually I had to make myself come to terms with my fear. I told myself I was doing everything I could to protect my son and then I just made myself take a breath and let it go.

My advice to parents is to give yourself the same gift of letting go and trusting that your baby will be okay. Take the steps we know make a big difference in preventing SIDS and then carry on and get the most out of your new life with this precious child. Living in fear will only make you unhappy and unable to truly bond with your child.

Statistics are on your side

SIDS is the unexplained death of a seemingly healthy infant, usually between 1 and 6 months, during sleep with no medical explanation. Fortunately, SIDS is actually quite rare.  Of the over four million babies born each year in the US, 2500 infants die of SIDS.

Reduce the risk

Here are the top things researchers have discovered can greatly decrease the chance of SIDS:

1. The most important thing you can do is put your baby to sleep on his back. Studies have shown that this cuts the risk by almost 50%.
2. Eat well and get good prenatal care when you’re pregnant. Premature babies or those born with lower birth weights can have a higher chance of SIDS.
3. Don’t expose your baby to second-hand smoke. Studies have shown that when babies breathe cigarette smoke, their risk of SIDS can double.
4. Provide a safe sleeping environment. Soft bedding, couches or beanbags can be dangerous places for babies to sleep.
5. SIDS rates tend to be lower in breastfed babies, so if you can, choose the breast over bottles.

Sometimes just taking the steps to avoid tragedy will give you some much-needed peace of mind. If you know you are doing everything you can to prevent SIDS, it doesn’t have to keep you up all night worrying. So relax, enjoy this wonderful time with your new baby and rest easy.

Certified Sleep Sense Consultant In The News:

Our Certified Sleep Sense Consultant Shannon Glenn, was featured on Good Morning Idaho, FOX9. Click the video below to watch Shannon talk about swaddling for better sleep, and to prevent SIDS.

For personalized help with your child’s sleep needs, you can contact Shannon here:

Shannon Glenn
Sleep Well Children Consulting
www.sleepwellchildren.com
shannon@sleepwellchildren.com
(208) 994-9429