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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death during sleep of an apparently healthy child, under the age of one. A diagnosis of SIDS can only be applied after adequate post mortem investigations reveal no other causes. SIDS is the term coined when a baby dies while asleep without a known cause.

It is difficult to anticipate when a child will be a victim of SIDS. While SIDS cannot be medically explained as yet, medical research has identified contributory factors that can lead to SIDS. It is important therefore that the parent is aware of the risks in order to minimize possible SIDS by as much 75%. Use these guidelines to help provide a safe sleep environment for your baby.

The baby should be on his back when sleeping.
Incidence of SIDS among infants whom parents purposely put to sleep on their backs is known to have been reduced by 50 to 75%. This is fairly new advice. Older mums (like me!) were probably told to put babies to sleep on their stomachs. However, medical opinion is unanimous.! Medical researchers contend that putting the baby to sleep on their stomachs is an effective means of stopping SIDS.

Use a soft mattress with a fitted sheet.
The baby should not be allowed to sleep on very soft beds like water beds, pillows, sheepskins and sleeping bags.

The baby’s bed should be free of any clutter.
Take away fluffy blanket, pillows, soft toys, duvets etc.

Don’t cover the baby’s face when asleep.
Anything that can cover the face of the baby should likewise be removed from the baby’s crib. Don’t use blankets on babies, let them wear night clothes instead. Otherwise, the blanket should cover the baby only up to the chest area, and tightly secured under the mattress so that it cannot move up to cover the upper part of the baby.

Don’t smoke.
Do not smoke during pregnancy and do not allow others to smoke round your baby.

Sleep near to your baby.

Babies under 6 months old should not be allowed sleep without any adult in close proximity. The baby however should be in a crib, and not on the parents’ beds. You cannot comply with the SIDS prevention guidelines if the baby is in your bed. There will be too many clutters that can prove to be dangerous, plus your mattress will be too soft for the baby.

It is not also recommended to let the baby sleep with a pacifier in his/her mouth.

Do not allow your baby to overheat. The room should be at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult. Don’t wrap up the baby in layers of clothes or blankets.

All the intended precautions are for every member of the household. Some of this advise is new (especially back to sleep) and older carers may not know. You should waste no time in informing and explaining to the rest of the household of the safer way of caring for the baby.

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