5 Ways to Reduce the Risk of SIDS

Perhaps every new parent's biggest fear in the months following birth is that their baby may die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). According to the Mayo Clinic SIDS is defined as the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than a year old. SIDS is sometimes known as crib death because the infants often die in their cribs. The anxiety and panic that this fear causes can lead to many sleepless nights. 

A combination of physical and sleep environmental factors can make an infant more vulnerable to SIDS and may vary from child to child. Some of these include low birth weight, brain abnormalities, placing baby on it's stomach or side to sleep, and allowing baby to sleep on a soft surface among several other factors. 



The risk of SIDS can be reduced and here are 5 ways to do it:

1. Keeping the babies crib bare so that their are no objects, such as blankets, bumpers or stuffed animals, that could interfere with their breathing. 
2. Putting baby to sleep alone as they can suffocate if in an adult bed. Parents can opt for a bassinet or mini crib in their bedroom but shouldn't place baby in bed with them. 
3. Breastfeed. Babies who are breastfed in the first six months have a lowered risk of SIDS. 
4. Offer a pacifier. Sucking on a pacifier at naptime and bedtime may reduce the risk of SIDS, but if your baby isn't interested don't force it. Try again another day. 
5. Keep baby warm while sleeping. Babies can easily overheat so avoid thick blankets and opt for sleep sacks or other sleeping clothes instead.

Although the SIDS rate has dropped dramatically over the years, there are approximately 2,500 infants who die of SIDS every year in the U.S., and SIDS is the third leading cause of infant mortality. Taking pre- and post natal precautions to decrease the risk is of utmost importance. You can read more about SIDS at the Mayo Clinics site here.