Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

• SIDS is unexplained and sudden death of an infant aged one month to one year old, even after a total autopsy, an examination of the death scene and review of the medical history of the infant and family has been done.
• Sudden infant death (SID), sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), cot death (used in United Kingdom and Australia) or crib death are terms used to describe the sudden and unexpected death of a baby before an investigation has been carried out. When the cause of death remains unknown after an investigation, the death is registered as SIDS.
• Babies who die from SIDS depart peacefully in their sleep, without pain or struggle. The baby is often found in the same position as when he or she was put down to sleep.
• SIDS can happen to any baby though premature and low birth-weight (less than 3.3 lbs or 1.5 kg) babies, baby boys, babies from young mothers have a higher risk.

How To Reduce Risks

• Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep. Your baby will be accustomed to sleep on the back if you insist from the start. If your baby will not settle in that position, just keep on trying. You can help by your baby get used to back sleep by using a baby or car seat.
• Keep your baby's face and head uncovered while sleeping.
• Put your baby's feet at the foot of the cot to prevent them from slipping down under the covers. Also ensure that the blanket is firmly tucked in.
• Do not use duvets or quilts in the cot for they are associated with an increased risk of SIDS.
• Never sleep the baby on a pillow or cushion. Use a firm and correct-size mattress.
• Do not put your baby on a water bed or bean bag.
• Do not fall asleep together with your baby on a sofa or arm chair.
• Do not sleep your baby on your bed if you or your spouse smoke, have just consumed alcohol, taken medication or are very tired.
• Parents should not smoke during pregnancy and neither should they smoke in the presence or in the same room as the baby.
• Make sure your baby does not get too hot. Avoid placing the baby in direct sunlight, near fire, heater or radiator.
• Sleep your baby in a cot by your side in your bedroom for the first six months.
• Do not use electric blankets.
• Do not use hot water bottles.
• Breast feeding your baby can reduce SIDS risk because nutrients in breast milk can benefit the baby's immune function and cognitive development.
• Though a study had suggested that the use of a dummy (pacifier) may protect against SIDS, the SIDS and Kids (National SIDS Council of Australia) says that the dummy may interfere with breastfeeding and babies who use a dummy tend to get more ear infections. Parents are advised to weigh up these issues before deciding about dummy use for their baby. "Use of a dummy (pacifier) during sleep and risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): population based case-control study" British Medical Journal 2006;332:18-22

When Travelling On A Plane

• Let the baby sleep on his or her back.
• Make sure the baby is cool.
• Feed the baby on schedule and make sure the baby is hydrated.
• Do not expose the baby to cigarette smoke.

Mattress

Source : "Cot Death - Cause and Prevention: Experiences in New Zealand 1995-2004" Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 2004; 14(3):221-232; "Response from FSID to final report of the government appointed Expert Group to Investigate Cot Death Theories: Toxic Gas Hypothesis" FSID Press Release 1998; "Toxic gas generation from plastic mattresses and sudden infant death syndrome" Lancet 1995;346:1516-20; "Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: a possible primary cause" Journal of the Forensic Science Society 1994;34(3):199-204

Breathing Monitor

• Sound or breathing monitors do not prevent death but gives parents the peace of mind to monitor the baby's breathing. Such devices have sensor pads that are worn around the stomach or placed on the mattress. An alarm will go off seconds after no breathing is detected.