Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Mind is All

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 many factors are outside of one's control, in keeping SIDS away, there are also a number of things that elevate the risk of SIDS occurring. If you know what these things are, you will be able to avoid them yourself, and will decrease the risk your baby is at of SIDS.

In addition to being bad for your baby's health down the road, it can actually be fatal to your baby in the short term if you smoke, drink, or take drugs while pregnant. 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, for your own health - and for the health of those around you - your best bet would be to cut these things out of your life altogether. But even if you choose not to cut these things out altogether, it is vital that you cut them out 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 have been shown to be at a much higher risk of SIDS when they have been exposed to smoke following birth.

There are a few specific things you can do yourself - in addition to the areas of smoking, drinking, and the use of drugs - that can keep your baby from being at high risk of SIDS. As poor prenatal care has been shown to be a contributing factor to SIDS, you should make sure you have optimal prenatal care. Also, stomach sleeping and overheating are two more contributing factors that can cause SIDS to occur, and both are easily avoidable. 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.