Desert Storks

SIDS

September 1, 2007 on 6:05 pm | In Postnatal |

Many parents worry a lot about the chance that their baby might die from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). SIDS means that babies die suddenly, without warning and for no obvious reason, while they are asleep.

What you can do

Put your baby down on his back to sleep.

Make sure your baby’s head is not covered when sleeping.

Don’t let your baby get overheated.

Keep your baby away from cigarette smoke.

What causes SIDS?

SIDS happens to babies, without warning, while they are asleep. They may be slightly unwell (such as a runny nose), but otherwise they are healthy.

The reasons why SIDS happens are not known, but research has found several things that make the risk of SIDS much lower.

Since parents in Australia and across the rest of the world have changed how they put babies down for sleep, far fewer babies have died from SIDS.

Sleeping on the back

Sleeping on the back is safest for babies.

Putting babies to sleep on their back has been the most important reason why the number of babies are dying from SIDS has gone down a lot all around the world.

The chance of babies dying from SIDS is higher if they sleep on their tummies or sides.

Many babies who are put on their sides for sleep roll over onto their tummies while they are asleep. Putting a baby to sleep on her side is not always safe.

Put your baby to sleep on her back from birth, unless you are told by your doctor that your baby has a health problem that means it would be better for your baby to sleep on her tummy (this is rarely better for babies).

Babies who sleep on their back are less likely to choke if they vomit than babies who sleep on their tummy.

By the time that older babies can roll over and move around the cot, the risk of SIDS is very low. Put them to sleep on their back, but let them find the position they feel most comfortable in for sleep.

Being on the tummy while awake

It is quite safe to put a baby down on his tummy on a firm surface (eg. on a blanket on the floor) while he is awake.

This helps babies to learn how to lift their heads, use their arms and explore the world.

While babies are awake, there is no risk of SIDS, but turn them onto their backs if they fall asleep.

Keep your baby’s face and head uncovered when sleeping

Make sure that your baby’s face and head are not covered when she is asleep.

Make up the cot so that your baby’s head cannot slide under the bedclothes. A good way of doing this is by making up the cot so that your baby’s feet are at the end of the cot.

Use a firm, well-fitting mattress for your baby.

Tuck the covers in, so that your baby does not wriggle under the covers.

If she does manage to wriggle under the bedclothes, you could try dressing her in warm clothing and putting her down without a rug or sheet. You might try an infant sleeping bag which is made in such a way that the baby cannot slip inside the bag and become completely covered. The sleeping bag should have fitted neck and arm holes and should not have a hood.

Babies can be firmly wrapped for sleeping. See the topic Wrapping babies.

Do not use a loose cover such as a doona (quilt).

Keep fluffy toys, pillows and cot bumpers out of the cot when your baby is asleep. Babies do not need pillows to sleep comfortably.

Don’t put your baby on a waterbed, ‘U’ shaped pillow or beanbag for sleep.

Don’t put your baby on a lounge chair (sofa) to sleep as your baby may roll into the gap between the chair back and the seat, making it difficult for your baby to breathe.

See the topic Safe sleep for more information about a safe place to sleep.

Taking a baby into an adult bed slightly increases the risk of SIDS. See the topic Sleeping with your baby for more information.

Don’t let your baby get overheated

Babies can get too hot if they:

sleep with their heads covered

wear too much clothing

sleep with heavy blankets or rugs

sleep in a room that is too warm.

If your baby is sweating around the face, head or neck, your baby is too hot.

If your baby feels hot or sticky, take off some rugs or clothing or turn down the heat.

If he sleeps better when wrapped, use a light sheet (see the topic Wrapping babies).

Cigarette smoke

Cigarette smoke harms babies before and after birth.

To help prevent SIDS, keep your baby away from cigarette smoke while you are pregnant and for the first year of life at least. But remember - cigarette smoke still causes health problems for all children.

Research has shown that it is unsafe to share your bed with your baby if you are a smoker. (See the topic Sleeping with your baby)

Don’t smoke anywhere near a baby, such as in the baby’s room or in the car if the baby is there. It is now illegal in South Australia to smoke in a car if there are children in the car.

Make sure that others do not smoke around your baby.

Having your baby sleep in your room

Babies who sleep in their parents’ room seem less likely to die from SIDS. It is safest to place your baby in a bassinette, crib or cot next to your bed until one year of age. After this there is almost no risk of SIDS.

Sharing a bed is not always safe. See the topic Sleeping with your baby for more information about the research on sharing your bed with your baby.

Dummies and SIDS

Research about the possible benefits for babies of using a dummy (pacifier) is new, and the SIDS and Kids Association in Australia is currently saying that the evidence about dummy use to reduce the risk of SIDS is not yet clear. The evidence about other ways of protecting a baby (eg sleeping on the back) is clear.

Some recent research is suggesting that using a dummy lowers the risk of SIDS.

It is unclear why use of a dummy might be protective.

It seems that dummies are most protective when babies sleep on their tummies, however it is much more important to have babies sleeping on their back.

It seems that the time to use a dummy is when the baby is going to sleep. If the baby spits it out during sleep, there does not seem to be any value in putting it back. It is not at all clear why this is so.

It is recommended that dummies only be used after the first 4 to 6 weeks for breastfed babies, as dummies may interfere with breastfeeding in those early weeks.

Bottle fed babies could use a dummy from an earlier age.

Head shape

If babies always sleep in the same position, the back of their head may become flattened (called ‘plagiocephaly’).

This does not affect brain growth, and for most babies, the shape of the head becomes rounder as babies get older and move their heads around more during sleep.

To reduce this, settle babies to sleep on their backs, but turn their heads to the right for some sleeps and to the left for other sleeps, until they are old enough to move around and change their sleeping positions by themselves.

For more information, have a look at the topic Misshapen head.

If you are concerned about the shape of your baby’s head, ask your doctor to check it.

Baby hammocks

Baby hammocks are probably safe for babies, but

always make sure that the hammock is set up according to the instructions and the fittings are secure

always settle your baby on his back

do not use any bedding in the hammock (dress your baby in clothing that will keep her warm, rather than using covers).

It is recommended that they are only used for babies who are not yet able to roll over.

Mesh sided hammocks are probably a good idea to ensure good ventilation.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is very good for babies, but research has not shown that it helps protect babies from SIDS.

Immunisation

Immunisation does not increase the risk of SIDS.

Medicines

It has not been proven that medicines given to babies for colic, reflux or other health problems make it more likely a baby will die from SIDS.

However, many medicines are not recommended for young babies, in order to avoid any risk that the medicine could be a cause. Check what is written on the packaging.

Use only medicines that your doctor suggests for your baby and follow the directions on the bottle carefully.

Medicines to help baby sleep are not generally a good idea for babies under one year, unless a doctor advises you to use them.