Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (commonly called "SIDS"), is one of the worst tragedies that can befall a parent, and it is made all the worse by the fact that it often comes with no explanation. But while there are many factors outside of one's control when it comes to the things that cause SIDS, there are also a few specific things that elevate the risk of SIDS. You can decrease the risk of your baby falling prey to SIDS if you know what these things are and know how to avoid them.

Smoking, drinking, and drug use during pregnancy are not only bad for your baby's health down the road, but might even be immediately fatal. Studies have found that babies are at a much higher risk of SIDS when their mothers smoked, drank, or did drugs while pregnant. Of course, you would be best cutting these things out of your life altogehter - for both your own health and the health of those around you. But even if you do not do so, you need to cut these out of your life while you are pregnant.

Your baby's risk of SIDS not only escalates with your own smoking, but it also escalates when those around you smoke. Babies who have been exposed to smoke following birth have been shown to be much more susceptible to SIDS.

On top of these specific areas that pertain to smoking, drinking, and drug usage, there are some specific things you can do yourself to lessen the risk of your baby falling prey to SIDS. One thing you should do is make sure you have optimal prenatal care, as poor prenatal care has been shown to be a contributing factor to SIDS. Two more contributing factors to SIDS - each of which is easy to avoid - are stomach sleeping and overheating. Make sure that your baby is not sleeping on its stomach, and make sure that your baby is not bundled in excessive sleepwear and bedding.

Although SIDS is still largely a mystery, there are some things you can do to lessen the risk of this tragedy occurring; pay attention to these, and make sure you take care of them yourself.