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Infant Sleep Safety - Lessening the Dangers of Cot Death  by: Chris Towland Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (also known as SIDS), is the biggest common cause of death in babies under twelve months of age. This shocking problem happens while the infant is sleeping. Up until today there unfortunately is not a known cure, or even a known explanation in fact, as to why some babies are affected by the syndrome while others aren't. But the fact is that over 2,500 children die in America every year from cot death. Even though the number of baby deaths have been reduced by approximately forty percent by taking preventative measures and including baby sleep safety techniques to protect babies from SIDS, there unfortunately is not a known way at present to fully escape the occurrence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Tips for Baby Sleep Safety * Lay your baby on his or her back. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome has been closely linked to children sleeping on their tummies. * Ensure your baby sleeps on a firm mattress. Avoid types of fluffy toys or baby pillows that could cause suffocation. * Do not let your baby overheat throughout the night. children have a body temperature that is higher than adults and do not need so many blankets - do not let Infant be too cold either though! * Don't take drugs, smoke or drink alcohol either before or after your baby's birth. Smoke from cigarettes is known to be a contributing factor to SIDS. * Go along to early and parental care clinics, particularly if you are a parent for the first time. * Breast feed Infant if it is at all possible. Breast fed babies are statistically much less likely to be affected by SIDS. * Offer your infant a pacifier in the first 12 months of life. It is not known why but children that are given a pacifier during this time are much less likely to be claimed by Cot Death. * Do not sleep with Infant in the same bed or let Infant sleep in a normal adult bed. A baby has a higher chance of suffocation when in a bed that has been designed for adults. It is ok though to comfort and feed Infant in bed as long as he or she is taken back to his or her own bed afterwards. SIDS is different to any other disease or syndrome. Most conditions surrounding the death of a child are diagnosed by A symptoms associated with the death. Cot Death however is only normally diagnosed once any other possibilities are dismissed. Risk Factors There are distinct specific trends or notable risk factors that can be observed in data regarding SIDS. The risks should be seriously considered by mothers and fathers that have children in a high-risk category. * Boys are more likely than girls to die from SIDS. There is relatively little that can be done about this fact, it is simply included here as a notation. * Drinking alcohol, drug use and smoking are thought to be three of the main contributory factors to Cot Death. In simple terms, if you value the health of your baby, do not use damaging drugs like these! * Poor parental care. First-time or young parents are the greatest risk. However, as long as a parent ensures that they get early and frequent parental care checks and also have the backing of their friends and family, there is much less chance of this happening. * Babies born prematurely are at an increased Dangers of SIDS. Premature babies at birth have a disadvantage initially with and are often quite fragile and under developed. This is again more a note than a specific prevention. *Mothers who are younger than twenty are at Dangers of having a child die from Cot Death. This can be for a number of reasons such as simple inexperience or accidental neglect. By using the tips I've listed above and ensuring that you are aware of the dangers and also implementing the precautions to ensure your baby can sleep safely you can lessen the likelihood of losing a baby to SIDS. For parents who have lost a baby to Cot Death there are numerous excellent support groups available to assist in getting through the process of grieving. About The Author Chris Towland is the webmaster of http://www.infantsleep.info which gives a wealth of information, help and advice on infant sleep problems. This article was posted on August 29, 2006 Read More Articles from the "Parenting" Category: Avoiding Tooth Decay In Children by Frank Denber No Kidding-Preparation The Key To Preventing Abducted, Missing Children by Scott Irwin 7 Reasons to Adopt a Child by Deborah Mumm Bath Time Magic For Kids by Lindsay Small Parenting – The Foundation For Learning by Mary Joyce Classic Toys Never Go Out Of Style by Robert Benson How we Talk to Children with Autism by Sandra Sinclair Crisis in Child Care by Veola Momon Keeping Baby Safe: your most important role as a parent by Claire Bowes Tips for Keeping Packed Lunches Fun and Interesting by Melissa Brantly Severson << Back to "Parenting" Index

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