October is Infant Death Awareness Month and Doctors are making sure parents are aware of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, also known as Crib Death.
Also known as SIDS, it is the unexplained death of a seemingly healthy baby under the age of one. There are not many explanations for SIDS but doctors believe it may be linked to abnormalities in an infant’s brain that controls their breathing and arousal from sleep.
First Candle, an organization dedicated to remembering and preventing infant death says that most babies who die of SIDS pass away within the first two to four months and 90 percent of deaths happen before six months. Other causes could include genetic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, infection or suffocation.
There is no known way to prevent SIDS, but there are some things you can do to help keep your baby safe:
- Babies should never be placed on their stomach’s to sleep.
- Do not sleep with a baby in an adult bed or sofa. There is a chance you could roll over and suffocate them unintentionally.
- Don’t expose them to second hand smoke after birth.
- Do not leave loose blankets in their crib while they sleep. Wrap the baby tight or use a wearable blanket instead.
- Make sure your baby isn’t overheating by wearing too much clothing.
This month also remembers stillborn children, which is the death of an infant while still in the womb but over 20 weeks of gestation. For more information on Infant Death Awareness Month you can visit www.firstcandle.org
