SIDS is an acronym for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which is defined as the sudden death, while sleeping, of any baby under the age of one. Though no amount of definition can bring any explanation as to what causes these deaths.
Many unexplained deaths of babies have surged through statistics, and while rates for SIDS have decreased since the 80s and are continuing to decline, the mere impact of a baby's death can shatter any parent.
There are numerous probable causes to why babies die in their sleep. Several common factors include entanglement, suffocation and entrapment. Few studies have likewise shown choking and gagging as causes. The most popular cause, however, is the baby's sleep position. Transcending geography, economics and cultures, babies who have died from SIDS have been found asleep on their stomachs.
Entanglement, Suffocation and Entrapment: The ESE (easy) Danger
For first-time parents-to-be, shopping for a crib can be both overwhelming and exciting. There are so many choices, shapes, designs, styles, makers - the list can go on, but more often than not, the choice is less-than-educated. Aesthetic plays a major role in decision making, added by financial matters. Nowadays, parents choose their baby's crib based on its complementing factor with the rest of the baby's room decor. There are so many things you could customize your baby's crib with like bumpers, sheepskin blankets, pillow rolls, and stuffed animals. While these make the for the "ooh-ahh, oh so pretty" expression from visitors, these have been deemed to be unsafe for babies under the age of one. The primary reason being that these items pose tremendous danger to the little precious bundle sleeping in the crib. These could be accidentally pushed and shoved around while the baby is sleeping, i.e. a fuzzy blanket is easily kicked off over the face by a baby simply moving his hands as a sleeping reflex. Bear in mind, babies are not capable of moving things off their faces until mastery of motor skills have been achieved at a certain age. Crib bumpers, although they are designed to protect a baby from bumping his head as he rolls around in his crib, it claims its danger ticket by probably causing suffocation from its padding, as well as probable strangulation from its tie strings.
BOTTLE-FEEDING versus BREASTFEEDING
This dilemma still presents itself even in this scenario. Clinical research have shown the positive effects of breastfeeding the baby at least until the age of one. To top it off, breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS as opposed to certain delivery methods of bottle-feeding. There are certain bottle-feeding products designed to reduce gas intake, but may take less consideration in sleep safety. Likewise, there are bottle-aids meant to "hold" the bottle on the sleeping baby so the parent does not have to hold it while the baby sleeps. This latter poses a bigger threat as it clearly paints a picture that no one is monitoring the baby as he is drinking. This, then, means that he could easily choke and gag on the milk since no one is watching him. With breastfeeding's numerous claims to benefits, the mother is always there over the baby and can immediately adjust the baby's position should he start choking or gagging during feedings.
SLEEP POSITION
This is the major cause of concern for SIDS awareness. Studies have shown that there is more risk of SIDS if babies sleep on their stomachs. Babies under one year of age do not have the neck dexterity to lift and turn their heads away from the mattress during sleep. The baby's body is linear as he sleeps, therefore, if he is on his stomach, he is face-down on his mattress. It will clearly show that the baby can suffocate from this position.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES: Is it possible?
As SIDS remains unexplainable, we as parents must be learning to do things correctly since mortality rates from SIDS have declined in the last 30 years. Here are certain pointers to be considered in order to keep the baby safe from death by SIDS:
- BACK-TO-SLEEP ON A FIRM MATTRESS - every pediatrician, medical professional and seasoned parents will attest to this proven-method of putting baby to sleep on his back no matter how comfortable he is in any other position, and make sure the crib mattress is firm
- BREASTFEEDING - hands-down provides numerous other health benefits to the baby, why not keep baby alive with it as well. In some cases where breastfeeding is not an option (when it is medical and not a personal preference), parents should always be vigilant about baby's feedings
- SHARED ROOM, SEPARATE BEDS - parents should always be within arms-reach of baby should any need arise in the middle of the night
- SAFETY BEFORE PRETTY - bear in mind baby's safety when purchasing and attaching decorations, bumpers and stuffed animals in the crib
- CHECK THE TEMPERATURE - be mindful of baby's temperature as well as the room temperature; do not let baby get too hot by overdressing him and set the room temperature at a comfortable degree appropriate to the weather
- DO NOT USE PRODUCTS THAT CLAIM TO PREVENT SIDS - parents' vigilance and attention to their baby ultimately reduces the risk of SIDS, not products, such as sleep positioners and wedges. aimed at reducing risk factors based on false claims