Reducing the Risk of SIDS

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is an event where an infant less than 1 years old passes away in their sleep unexpectedly for no known cause or reason. According to the CDC there are approximately 3,500 SIDS cases per year here in the United States.

While many of the cases of unexpected death can’t be explained or have no cause, most occurrences happen with an infant is placed in an unsafe sleeping environment. This falls under the Accidental Suffocation and Strangulation in Bed category.

To reduce the risk of this happening to your family, here are some things you can do to protect your little one:

• Avoid soft bedding – This can block the baby’s airway by preventing air though the nose and mouth.
• Avoid Cribs with Railing – This can cause the infant’s head and neck become caught between crib railings.
• Beware of Overlay – Try to be very careful when sleeping with your baby. Overlay is when another person rolls on top of or against the infant while sleeping.
• Beware of Wedging or entrapment — For example, when an infant is wedged between two objects such as a mattress and wall, bed frame, or furniture.

Again, while many of the cases of unexpected death can’t be explained or have no cause, every bit of information that promotes prevention helps!

If you have any further questions about SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and what you can do to help to avoid this from happening to your family, please give Mother’s Helping Hands a call – we’d love to answer your questions.