Fortunately, the rates of SIDS have gone down as parents have been educated that putting a baby to sleep on her back greatly reduces her risk of SIDS.
You wouldn't think that parents would need a reminder to reduce their baby's risk of SIDS. However, you would be surprised at how many parents put their babies to sleep on their stomach simply because they think it helps them sleep better.
Some good reminders include:
- back to sleep
- back is best
Facts About SIDS
The risk of SIDS, begins at about one month, being rare in newborns. It then increases until it reaches a peak when your baby is two to three months of age. That makes it especially important to take every precaution you can to reduce your babies risk of SIDS now that your baby is eight weeks old.In addition to putting your baby to sleep on her back, and not her side or stomach, other measures to reduce your baby's risk of SIDS include:
- Always putting your baby to sleep on a firm crib mattress that is covered by a sheet, without any soft objects, loose bedding, pillows, or stuffed toys in the crib.
- Having your baby sleep in a separate bassinet, crib, or cradle that is close to the your bed in the same bedroom, but not in your bed.
- Giving your baby a pacifier, especially now that your baby is more than a month old, but only offer the pacifier at sleep times, and don't reinsert it once your baby falls asleep.
- Not exposing your baby to secondhand smoke.
- Preventing your baby from getting overheated when she is sleeping.
- Making sure that all caregivers are aware of these recommendations.
Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement. The Changing Concept of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. PEDIATRICS Vol. 116 No. 5 November 2005, pp. 1245-1255.
