Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a scary prospect to parents. SIDS is defined as the sudden, unexpected death of an infant under the age of one year. These deaths have been associated with sleep and without signs of suffering.

The even scarier truth is that we still don't know as much about SIDS as we would like to know. We know that there are certain factors that seem to make it more likely: Premature infant Low birth weight Prenatal cigarette or drug exposure Neonatal cigarette smoke exposure Prone sleeping (on stomach) Fall/Winter months (both hemispheres) Peaks between 2 and 4 months Boys (60% are male)

Obviously there are children who are born with risk factors that do live and thrive. It is not to say that any infant with one or more of these risk factors will die from SIDS, but about 7,000 babies die in the United States alone each year. There are things you can help do that will reduce the risk of SIDS for your child: Have baby sleep on side or back. Breastfeed your baby. Reduce exposure of your baby to smoke, illicit drugs and illness. Remove soft bedding and over warm bedding. Get good prenatal care. Avoid smoking or doing illicit drugs while pregnant. Avoid others who smoke around you or baby. Educate yourself.

SIDS is not child abuse, or contagious. It happens to parents on every income level. It is not caused by choking or vomiting, and is not the result of a minor illness. Monitoring systems were previously thought to be potentially beneficial, particularly if someone had already lost an infant to SIDS, but now most hospitals and organizations do not find them as useful as was once believed.

This topic is near and dear to my heart. My nephew Nathan Ralston died of SIDS, he was 4 1/2 months old. I think it's very important for parents to know what they can about reducing the risks.

Dedicated to Nathan Carroll Ralston 10/24/91 - 3/6/92

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