WhitneyPrevent SIDS in Sleeping Babies
May 20th 2009 13:15
Buy a Good Mattress By using an extra firm or super firm crib mattress, the risk of SIDS is 5 times lower than if you use a soft mattress. A baby's airways can be easily blocked if his face sinks into a soft surface. Also remember to remove any pillows, stuffed animals, crib bumpers, or any other soft objects which could block the baby's face while he sleeps.
Turn on a Small Fan By keeping the air circulating while your baby sleeps, you can prevent carbon dioxide buildup, which can reduce the risk of SIDS by 72%.
Provide a Pacifier By letting your baby suck on a pacifier, while sleeping will prevent him from falling into a deep sleep because he's going to be constantly sucking on the "binky," which can reduce the risk of SIDS by 90%. Light sleepers are more likely to wake up if their airways get blocked.
Ban Second-Hand Smoke Tobacco smoke can cause changes in an infant's brain that can interfere with the way the brain regulates breathing, which can increase the risk of SIDS.
Keep The Crib Near By keeping your baby in the room with your, you can potentially reduce the risk of SIDS because parents have a heightened sense of alertness and vigilance when the baby is nearby. That doesn't mean sleep with the baby in the bed with you; just have the crib in the same room. If you opt to have the baby sleep in the bed with your, you can increase SIDS risk by 40% because it's that much easier to roll over and block your baby's face. (Although, many parents feel they are even more alert when the baby is in the same bed.)
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