When Can You Stop Worrying About the Threat of SIDS?

Approximately three thousand babies in America (often less) die each year unexpectedly, often while sleeping. When a child, less then one year of age, dies suddenly and the autopsy shown no sign of a cause, it is known as sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. As SIDS is not preventable, nor is it understood why exactly it occurs, it can cause new parents a fair degree of anxiety. When is the risk of SIDS over for infants? What can be done to reduce the risk during the time that it is a possibility?

Less Than One Month

Infants less than one month old are not likely to become SIDS victims. The risk is very low at this point because newborns are unable to roll over. As long as your child is placed on her back on a firm mattress with no more than a tightly fitted sheet or swaddled in a receiving blanket, she is not going to roll over onto her stomach or experience trouble breathing from blankets, toys, bumper pads or anything else that may be in the crib.

Two to Four Months

The majority of SIDS cases occur amongst infants who are from two to four months of age. Sixty percent of sudden infant deaths occur during this time, according to the non-profit organization, Sudden Infant Death Services of Illinois, Inc. This is the age when your infant is at her highest risk, although factors such as breastfeeding and back sleeping may be beneficial for reducing risk and increasing well-being.

Six Months

Once your baby reaches six months of age the risk of SIDS is not over, but it has dropped significantly. Ninety-five percent of SIDS cases occur before six months of age. It is still important to take measures to reduce the risk, but as a parent you have reason to let go of a lot of the worry.

One Year

SIDS is defined as unexplainable infant death that occurs under one year of age. A fatality after one year wouldn’t be considered to be SIDS. There is no risk of SIDS at this point but young children can still be harmed by unsafe sleeping arrangements. The risk of SIDS for infants is over, but it is wise to continue healthy habits such as not allowing anyone to smoke in the home and keeping excess toys and blankets out of the crib.

Reducing Risk

It is true that sudden infant death syndrome cannot be prevented. There is also uncertainty about why it occurs. Despite this lack of control, there are many things that parents and caretakers can do to help reduce the risk of SIDS, no matter what your child’s age.

One of the most important steps to protect your baby from SIDS is back sleeping. Since findings in the early 1990’s and the start of the Back to Sleep campaign in 1994, led by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, when parents were first instructed to start placing their babies on their backs rather than their stomachs or sides to sleep, the annual number of sudden infant deaths has dropped dramatically. Previously there were approximately five thousands SIDS deaths per year. In recent years numbers have dropped to between two and three thousand a year.

It is also important to pay attention to bedding. Health care professionals recommend a firm mattress and no loose bedding. Pillows, toys and fluffy blankets should be avoided. A warm sleeper is an excellent option or a tight-fitting light blanket. While there are many benefits of co-sleeping, placing your baby in a crib is recommended. Sleeping in the same room as your baby can however reduce the risk. Talk to your doctor about how to properly practice co-sleeping it you are interested.

Make sure your infant does not overheat while sleeping. This can induce a heavier sleep and it can also make breathing more difficult. Avoid anything, including a hat, that would cover the head or face. Keep the room temperature comfortable.

Do not allow anyone to smoke in the home. Not only can second-hand smoke make breathing more difficult but it can also increase the risk for respiratory infections.

By taking these measures you can reduce the risk of SIDS. While it is important to know what can benefit your child and to educate anyone who may be taking care of her at any point, such as babysitters and grandparents, there is no reason to let the fear of SIDS take control. The risk is highest from the ages of two months to four months. By six months of age the risk has become negligible, although it is still important to practice recommended methods of SIDS prevention. After one year, the risk of SIDS is over.

References

What is SIDS. SIDS of Illinois, Inc. (http://www.sidsillinois.org/sids.php#3)

SIDS. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/sudden_infant_death_syndrome.cfm).

SIDS Facts. National Institutes of Health.(www.nichd.nih.gov/sids/upload/PART_II.pdf)


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