How to Avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sadly, every year nearly 2,500 babies die unexpectedly due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants under one year old with ninety percent of these deaths occurring before the child reaches six months old. The statistics can be frightening for new parents and while there is no way to completely prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, there are some easy things you can do to reduce your baby's risk.

Things You'll Need

• Movement sensor crib monitor

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Instructions

Avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

• 1

  Stop smoking. Smoking during pregnancy and around your baby after he or she is born increases his or her risk of SIDS.

• 2

  Breastfeed your baby. Breast fed babies tend to wake up more often during the night for feedings and it’s believed that this discourages the deep sleep that's associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Reducing the risk of SIDS is just one of the many benefits of breastfeeding.

• 3

  Remember "back to sleep". Always place your baby on her back to sleep. Sleeping on her side or her stomach can drastically increase her risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Be certain that daycare workers and baby sitters are aware that your baby is to be placed on her back to sleep every time she’s put down.

• 4

  Remove blankets, pillows, toys, and bumper guards from your baby’s crib. You need to make certain that his crib stays clear of all suffocation hazards. If you're worried that your baby may get cold, layer his clothing.

• 5

  Turn down the thermostat. Research suggests that over heating may contribute to SIDS. Keep your thermostat just high enough to make the room comfortable.

• 6

  Don’t share a bed with your infant. Bed sharing introduces suffocation hazards and should never be done with infants under one year old.

• 7

  Purchase a movement sensor crib monitor. You can buy a movement sensor for under $100 and it’s well worth the investment. A movement sensor crib monitor is a hard plastic pad that fits under your baby’s mattress. As your baby breathes, the sensor detects the movement. When movement has ceased for fifteen seconds, the sensor will sound a loud, shrill beep to awaken your baby. If, after five more seconds, no movement is detected, the sensor will send out a panic signal alerting the parents to check the baby.