Description

Sudden infant death syndrome is the unexplained death of a baby. The baby is usually less than one year of age and appears to be healthy. It often occurs during sleep. Sudden infant death syndrome is also known as SID . It is sometimes called crib death because the infants often die in their cribs.

The cause of SIDS is unknown. But it can be caused by problems in the area of an infant's brain that controls breathing and arousal from sleep.

Researchers have found that some of the things that may put infants at greater risk. Also have found a few things that you can do to help protect your child from SIDS . The most important action that can be for a baby on their back to sleep.

Causes

Physics and the dream of the factors that put a child at risk of SIDS . These factors vary from child to child.

Physical factors

Physical factors associated with SIDS include:

  • Defects of the brain. Some babies are born with problems that make them more likely to die of SIDS . In many of these babies, the part of the brain that controls breathing and waking up from sleep has not been developed enough to function properly.
  • The low birth weight. A premature birth or being part of a multiple birth increases the chances that a baby's brain is still not fully developed at birth. The baby may have less control over such automatic processes such as breathing and heart rate.
  • Infection of the respiratory tract. Many of the babies who died of SIDS had recently had a cold. A cold can cause breathing problems.

The dream of the factors of

A baby's sleeping position, the elements of the crib and other conditions may increase the risk of SIDS . Examples include:

  • Sleeping on your stomach or on the side. The babies are placed in these positions to sleep may have more difficulty breathing than those placed on their backs.
  • Sleeping on a soft surface. Lying face down on a fluffy down comforter, a soft mattress or a bed of water can block an infant's airway.
  • Sharing a bed. The risk of sudden death increases if the baby sleeps in the same bed with parents, siblings, or pets. But it can help if the baby sleeps in a separate bed in the same room with parents. That seems to reduce the risk of SIDS .
  • Overheating. Be too hot to sleep, while it may increase a baby's risk of SIDS .

Risk factors

SIDS can happen to any baby. But researchers have found several factors that may increase the risk. They include:

  • Sex. Males are slightly more likely than girls to die of SIDS .
  • Age. Babies are most at risk between the second and fourth month of life.
  • Of the race. For reasons that are not well understood, SIDS occurs more often in Blacks, American indians and Alaska Native infants.
  • The history of the family. Babies with brothers and sisters who died of SIDS are at higher risk of SIDS .
  • The second-hand smoke. Babies who live with smokers have a greater risk of SIDS .
  • The preterm birth. Premature birth and low birth weight, increase a baby's chances of sudden death .

Risk factors in mothers

During pregnancy, the mothers also affect their babies at risk of sudden death , especially if:

  • Are under the age of 20 years.
  • The smoke of the cigarettes.
  • The use of drugs or alcohol.
  • Do not receive good medical care during the pregnancy.

Prevention

There is No definitive way to prevent SIDS . But you can help your baby sleep more safely by following these tips:

  • Go back to sleep.Put your baby in the correct position — in the back. Be sure to use the position of the back every time you or any other person puts your baby to sleep for the first year of life. Do not rely on the others to put your baby in the correct position: to Insist on it. This will not be necessary once your baby can roll in both directions without help. Do not put your baby on the stomach or side to sleep. Advised a caregiver to use only the position stomach when the baby and the caregiver, both are in the same room and they are both awake. Short periods of "tummy time" to help a baby develop muscle strength. But the baby should never be left alone during tummy time.
  • Keep the crib as naked as possible. Use a firm, flat mattress. Make sure that the mattress does not sit at an angle greater than 10 degrees. Avoid placing your baby on the thick, fluffy filling, such as the skin of a lamb or a thick blanket. Do not leave pillows, soft toys or stuffed animals in the crib. Can cause problems with breathing, if your baby's face pressed against them.
  • Don't overheat your baby. To keep the baby warm, try a sleep sack. Or dress your baby in layers instead of using blankets. Do not cover the baby's head.
  • Have your baby sleep in your room.If possible, your baby should sleep in your room with you, but not in the same bed. Have your baby to sleep alone in a crib or a cradle with a mattress designed for baby bed linen. Your baby should sleep in the same room with you for at least six months. Adult beds are not safe for babies. A baby can become trapped and suffocate between the head of the slats. Those are the spaces between the mattress and the bed frame. A baby may also become trapped in the space between the mattress and the wall. And a baby can drown if a sleeping parent accidentally falls down and covers the baby's nose and mouth.
  • Breastfeed your baby, if possible. Breastfeeding for at least six months to a year reduces the risk of SIDS .
  • Do not use baby monitors and other commercial devices that are intended to reduce the risk ofSIDS. The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages the use of monitors, and other devices. These devices do not prevent SIDS . And may not be used in place of the practices of safe sleep.
  • Offer a pacifier.Sucking on a pacifier at nap time or bedtime may reduce the risk ofSIDS. Make sure that the pacifier does not have a strap or cord. If you are breast-feeding, wait to offer a pacifier until you and your baby have settled into a routine nursing. It normally takes 3 to 4 weeks to establish a nursing routine. If your baby is not interested in the pacifier, don't force it. Try again another day. If the pacifier falls out while the baby is sleeping, don't put it back.
  • Vaccinate your baby. There is No evidence that it is recommended vaccines to protect against diseases increase the risk of SIDS . Some evidence shows that such vaccines can help prevent SIDS .

Go back to sleep. Put your baby in the correct position — in the back. Be sure to use the position of the back every time you or any other person puts your baby to sleep for the first year of life. Do not rely on the others to put your baby in the correct position: to Insist on it. This will not be necessary once your baby can roll in both directions without help.

Do not put your baby on the stomach or side to sleep. Advised a caregiver to use only the position stomach when the baby and the caregiver, both are in the same room and they are both awake. Short periods of "tummy time" to help a baby develop muscle strength. But the baby should never be left alone during tummy time.

Have your baby sleep in your room. If possible, your baby should sleep in your room with you, but not in the same bed. Have your baby to sleep alone in a crib or a cradle with a mattress designed for baby bed linen. Your baby should sleep in the same room with you for at least six months.

Adult beds are not safe for babies. A baby can become trapped and suffocate between the head of the slats. Those are the spaces between the mattress and the bed frame. A baby may also become trapped in the space between the mattress and the wall. And a baby can drown if a sleeping parent accidentally falls down and covers the baby's nose and mouth.

Offer a pacifier. Sucking on a pacifier at nap time or bedtime may reduce the risk of SIDS . Make sure that the pacifier does not have a strap or cord. If you are breast-feeding, wait to offer a pacifier until you and your baby have settled into a routine nursing. It normally takes 3 to 4 weeks to establish a nursing routine.

If your baby is not interested in the pacifier, don't force it. Try again another day. If the pacifier falls out while the baby is sleeping, don't put it back.

Treatment

There is No treatment for SIDS . But your baby's pediatrician or other health care provider may talk with you about the risks that your baby may have. And there are ways to help your baby sleep safely.

For the first year, always put your baby to sleep on the back. Use a firm, flat mattress and avoid fluffy cushions and blankets. Remove all toys and stuffed animals from the crib. Try using a pacifier. Do not cover the baby's head, and make sure your baby doesn't get too hot. Your baby can sleep in your room, but not in his bed. Breastfeeding for at least six months to a year reduces the risk of SIDS . Doses of the vaccine to protect your baby from disease may also help prevent SIDS .

Coping and support

After losing a baby to SIDS , receiving emotional support is essential. You may feel guilty as you grieve the loss of your baby. You are also likely to work with a police investigation into the cause of death as required by law. You may find it comforting to talk with other parents whose lives have been affected by SIDS .

Ask your doctor or another member of your care team to suggest a support group in your area or online. Talking with a trusted friend, mental health professional or a member of the clergy can also help.

Communicate your feelings

If you can, let your friends and family know how you feel. People want to help, but they don't know how to approach you.

The loss of a child can put a terrible strain on a relationship. Be as open as possible with your spouse or partner. Counseling helps couples to understand and express their feelings.

Allow time for healing

Finally, give yourself time to grieve. It's understandable to cry unexpectedly and find vacations and milestones difficult. You'll also feel tired and exhausted at times.

You are dealing with a devastating loss. Healing can take time.

Symptoms and treatment of Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)