How To Help Prevent 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 that can cause SIDS to occur, there are also many things that elevate the risk of SIDS. You will be able to avoid these things when you know what they are, and in this way, you 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 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 have been shown to be at a much higher risk of SIDS when they have been exposed to smoke following birth.

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. Also, stomach sleeping and overheating are two more contributing factors that can cause SIDS to occur, and both are easily avoidable. Make sure you have not bundled your baby in excessive sleepwear and bedding, and do what you can to make sure your baby is not sleeping on its stomach.

While SIDS is still largely a mystery, there are certain things you can do to lessen the risk of this tragedy occurring in your own family; know what these things are, and take care of them yourself.