SIDS Prevention

Sometimes it seems like there is no end to the advice one receives as a parent—especially a first-time mom or dad. From what sort of baby carrier to use to how to establish a healthy eating routine, the cacophony of well-meaning recommendations can get to be overwhelming. However, almost all parents can agree that some decisions take priority over others: decreasing the chances of SIDs certainly falls in this category.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) strikes fear into many parents' hearts. Tragically, there are 3,500 sleep-related infant deaths each year in our country and this includes SIDS. SIDS is the largely unexplainable death of a healthy infant under the age of one year. 

While we do not know everything that can prevent SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has a new recommendation. Along with recommending that infants be laid on their backs to sleep, on a firm surface free of extraneous pillows, blankets, bumper pads, stuffed animals and other objects, the AAP now advise that babies sleep in the same room as their parents for 6 months, and ideally 1 year. 

The AAP's research shows that sleeping with your infant in the same room (but not on the same surface—i.e. not co-sleeping in the same bed) can reduce the risk of SIDS by 50%.  

In the long list of recommendations that others have about parenting, the AAP's research seems worth considering!

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