To Your Health

by Paulette Avery, R.N., M.S.N., I.B.C.L.C.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness

October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month. Annually, about 2,500 infants between the ages of one month and one year die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, more commonly known as SIDS. Researchers are making progress in discovering the cause or causes of this tragic problem, but no one yet has a full understanding of why it happens.

In 1994 the Back to Sleep campaign was launched to educate our nation about the importance of putting babies to sleep on their backs. Within two years, the rate of SIDS deaths had dropped by over 50 percent. The recommendation is that all babies be placed on their backs to sleep, not on their sides or tummies, and avoid the use of props to maintain this position.

Current controversy about SIDS revolves around the safety of parents bed-sharing with their infant. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep in the same room with parents but not in the same bed. Yet other experts, including Dr. James McKenna, head of the Notre Dame Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Lab, believe bed-sharing can be done safely and with benefits to babies and parents, offering feelings of security for the baby, better sleep for baby and parents, and increased breastfeeding.

The primary concern about bed-sharing is the increased risk for re-breathing and overheating, two factors now known to contribute to SIDS. Researchers have discovered that there is a group of babies born with a defect in their brainstem. A position statement for First Candle, formerly the National SIDS Foundation, explains it this way: “This defect is in the area of the brain where serotonin is used and recycled. Serotonin controls all of the baby’s major bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing, arousal, temperature and blood pressure. SIDS victims do not have enough serotonin receptors to carry important messages to the brain.” Where a normal baby would respond to not getting enough oxygen by arousing from sleep, these babies do not and can die suddenly and unexpectedly.

Bed-sharing may increase the risk for this group of babies because they are more likely to become overheated and may also re-breathe more exhaled carbon dioxide.

Whether you choose to bed-share or not, here are the guidelines to follow:

Place the baby to sleep on his or her back.

Avoid loose clothing; fluffy, soft bedding; stuffed animals; and plastics near the sleeping baby. Baby should sleep on a clean, firm surface with only a lightweight sheet or blanket as covering.

Dress the baby in one-piece clothing, layering under it with a t-shirt and socks, if needed for additional warmth.

Avoid co-sleeping if you are sedated, heavily medicated, or intoxicated by drugs or alcohol.

Consider having your baby sleep nearby but not on the same surface with you, if you are heavily obese.

Don’t smoke around your baby.

Breast-feed your baby whenever possible. Breast-fed babies have a lower incidence of SIDS than formula-fed babies.

Finally, be sure to educate grandparents, and anyone else who cares for your baby, about safe sleeping practices. Sleep well!

Paulette Avery is a registered nurse and freelance writer who specializes in health issues. You may contact her at averyfam\@comcast.net.