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 SIDS
I know
it's best to put my baby to sleep on his back, but what else can I
do to prevent SIDS?
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Place
your baby in a safety-approved crib with a firm mattress and a fitted sheet.
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Never
put your baby to sleep on a chair, sofa, water bed, cushion, or sheepskin.
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The safest
place for your baby to sleep is in the room where you sleep, but not in
your bed.
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Place
your baby's crib or bassinet near your bed (within an arm's reach) to make
breastfeeding easier and help you watch over your baby.
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If bumper
pads are used, they should be thin, firm, well secured, and not "pillow-like."
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Blankets,
if used, should be tucked in around the crib mattress. They should not reach
any higher than your baby's chest. Try using sleep sacks or sleep clothing
instead of a blanket to avoid the risk of overheating.
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Keep
pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and stuffed toys out of your baby's
crib. They can cover your infant's face—even if she is lying on her
back.
Other ways to reduce
the risk
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Do not
let your baby get too warm during sleep. Use light sleep clothing. Keep
the room at a temperature that feels comfortable for an adult.
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Do not
smoke during pregnancy. Also, do not allow smoking around your baby. Infants
have a higher risk of SIDS if they are exposed to secondhand smoke. One
of the most important things parents and caregivers who smoke can do for
their own health and the health of their children is to stop smoking.
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Pacifiers
may help reduce the risk of SIDS. However, if your baby doesn't want it
or if it falls out of his mouth, don't force it. If you are breastfeeding,
wait until your baby is 1 month old before using a pacifier.
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Avoid
products that claim to prevent SIDS. Most have not been tested for safety.
None have been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS.
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Home
monitors should also be avoided. While they can be helpful for babies with
breathing or heart problems, they have not been found to reduce the risk
of SIDS.
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Give
your baby plenty of "tummy time" when he is awake. This will help
strengthen neck muscles and avoid flat spots on his head.
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Share
this information with anyone who cares for your baby, including babysitters,
grandparents, and other caregivers.
Published online: 2/07
Source: SIDS: Important Information for Parents (Copyright ©
2006 American Academy of Pediatrics, Updated 11/05)
Healthcare professionals
may order
this publication in multi-copy packs.
Parents can find more information on this topic in Caring for Your Baby
and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. To order a copy of this book visit the
AAP
Bookstore.
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The information contained
in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care
and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that
your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
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