Did you know that Sudden Newborn Death Syndrome, also known as SIDS, is one of the top ten primary causes of infant death, among congenital abnormalities, preterm birth, low birth weight, and other factors?
Often known as ‘cot death’ or ‘crib death’, SIDS is the sudden, unexpected, and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy newborn.
You may have heard of incidents where a baby was simply sound sleeping and then abruptly stopped breathing. In many cases, it is impossible to determine what went wrong.
According to Public Health Malaysia, 90% of SIDS cases occur in children younger than 6 months old.
The causes are unknown, although it has been discovered through numerous research and a review of the records of babies who have died of SIDS that it tends to happen to babies who:
- Sleeping in a prone position
- Sleeping on a soft surface or with a cushion, blanket, or toy on the bed
- Co-sleeping on a bed or sofa with an adult or with another child
- Wearing too many layers of clothing when sleeping
- Smoking parents
Many individuals have views regarding babies getting adequate sleep, but poor advice can be harmful.
Let’s bust some common misconceptions about SIDS and habits that could endanger the safety of your baby and discover the actual truth.
Myth 1: SIDS Is Caused by Sleeping in a Crib or Cot
Fact: SIDS is not directly attributed to cribs. The risk of SIDS and other sleep-related baby deaths, however, can be increased by aspects of the sleep environment.
Here are a few methods to give your infant a safe sleeping environment:
- Ensure the crib is free of toys
- Ensure the crib is free of soft or loose mattress sheets
- Avoid using larger-than-needed blankets
- Avoid cramming pillows and bolsters
Myth 2: If Babies Sleep on Their Backs and Spit Up, They Will Choke
Fact: As a reflex to maintain a free airway, babies automatically swallow or cough up fluid that they spit up or vomit. Babies who sleep on their backs are not more likely to die from choking, according to studies.
Sleeping a newborn on his or her back gives airway protection due to the positioning of the upper respiratory airways.
Myth 3: Babies Can Catch SIDS
Fact: SIDS cannot be passed from baby to baby because it is not a contagious disease and neither is it the result of an infection.
Even though there is no known cause, research suggests a link between SIDS and the baby’s overall health. Better infant health lowers the chance of SIDS.
Myth 4: SIDS Can Be Prevented
Fact: Though SIDS cannot currently be prevented, the risk can be considerably reduced. NHS UK suggests a few methods:
- always place your baby on their back to sleep
- place your baby in the ‘feet to foot’ position—with their feet touching the end of the cot
- keep your baby’s head uncovered
- let your baby sleep in a cot in the same room as you for the first 6 months
- use a mattress that’s firm, flat, waterproof, and in good condition
- breastfeed your baby, if you can
- make sure you use a sling or baby-carrier safely
Myth 5: The Use of Smart Monitors Can Protect Infants from SIDS
Fact: Monitors that measure vital indicators like heart rate and oxygen levels has not been demonstrated to prevent SIDS.
On the contrary, the excessive sensitivity of these monitors frequently results in false alerts, which can cause parents to worry unnecessarily.
Myth 6: Parents Who Share a Bed with Their Infants Will Be Able to Hear Any Issues and Take Action to Avoid Them
Fact: Since SIDS has no symptoms or warning signs, it is unlikely that any adult will notice a problem and stop SIDS from happening. When a baby sleeps in an adult bed, the risk of suffocation and other sleep-related newborn deaths increases.
Myth 7: SIDS Can Happen to Babies of Any Age
Fact: SIDS only poses a threat to babies up until the age of one.
According to Medical News Today, it can occur at any age before the age of 12, but it most frequently affects infants between the ages of 1-4 months.
But even if the likelihood of ‘cot death’ decreases when an infant turns 8 months old, one should still take safety measures to minimise the risk.
Always Practice Baby Safe Sleep Methods
Finding out the truth behind these myths may make it easier for you to handle the uncertainty of life with a newborn.
It’s also helpful to learn more about SIDS to understand the factors and take into account relaxing strategies to put your baby to sleep.
Don’t forget to consider the risk of SIDS for a sound night’s sleep as you experiment with various solutions too. You’ve got this, parents!
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