Help prevent SIDS with safe sleeping practices

Steps to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

In this new video, Amanda V. Soza MD, Pediatrician at ARC Center Street, talks about causes and prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS. "SIDS is essentially when a child under the age of one dies for some unknown reason, most often overnight while they're sleeping," says Dr. Soza. "While the thought of sudden infant death syndrome can be a very scary, it is not that common."

Watch Dr. Soza's video to learn about safe sleeping practices for infants and to find out about the risk parameters based on baby's age, or read what she has to say here:

SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is essentially when a child under the age of one dies for some unknown reason, most often overnight while they're sleeping. While the thought of sudden infant death syndrome can be a very scary thought it is not that common.

How can I protect my baby from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?

Some of the best ways to prevent sudden infant death syndrome is to go with safe sleeping practices, which tend to be:

  • making sure the baby is on their back when they go to sleep
  • no bed sharing between parents
  • keeping things out of their crib, so no pillows or stuffed animals or big puffy blankets
  • breastfeeding can also be pretty protective
  • sometimes trying a pacifier can also be protective as well

So, any baby under the age of one is at risk for SIDS. We see the highest risk in our kids that are about 1 month to 4 months old. There is it a pretty good risk drop off once we get past 6 months old. The biggest thing about after being 6-month-old is the baby is a little bit further along developmentally, so they are able to roll on their own and have really good head control and are a little more able to get themselves out of situations that increase their risk for SIDS.

So, keeping an eye on my baby every night, watching them breathe, is really only going to increase your anxiety. Once the baby can roll from front to back and back to front, however they want to sleep after they're asleep is up to them, but always start by putting babies on their back to sleep.

Make an appointment today with Dr. Soza today

To schedule a visit with Dr. Soza call ARC Center Street at 737-404-0347 or book an appointment online.

Tags: Baby sleep tips, Infant Death Syndrome, SIDS