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The term Sudden Infant Death Syndrome can seem like something scary that you want to avoid, but with knowledge comes power. Here’s what you need to know.
When you become a mother, no one tells you that your heart will suddenly make a move to your sleeves. Our children are extensions of us, and we want to do everything in our power to protect them from the world’s dangers. That’s why you might have found yourself combing countless books, trying to learn as much as possible. You may have come across the term Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which can be terrifying, but the more you know, the better. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is It?
We can glean some assumptions from the name itself, but what is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and what do you need to know about it? SIDS is the abrupt and unanticipated death of a newborn under the age of one. It’s unexpected because the newborn usually wouldn’t have had any prior health concerns—they look like an entirely healthy baby. SIDS is more prevalent in baby boys and usually occurs in their sleep. While there’s still a lot about SIDS that remains unknown, researchers believe there are some factors that can increase the risk.
Risk Factors
Many people also refer to SIDS as crib death, as it tends to happen when a baby sleeps in their crib, and how a baby sleeps may have something to do with the danger. These dangers include placing a baby on their side or stomach to sleep—they should always sleep on their back. Moreover, loose blankets can also increase the risk as they can easily block a baby’s airway, leading to suffocation. It’s a sorrowful thought, but sometimes new parents can make these common baby sleeping mistakes that could increase the risk of SIDS.
The More You Know
The most important thing for you to know is that SIDS is rare, and the risk factor of it affecting your baby is low. However, it’s still something that many people worry about because it can happen to anyone. The more we educate ourselves on these issues, the better we can prepare and take measures to decrease the risks. In that, we can help reduce our fears and feel more confident and able as caretakers.
