How To Help Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is one of the most devastating tragedies that can hit a family, and it is often made that much worse for the fact that it comes and goes with no explanation. But while there are many factors outside of one’s control that can cause SIDS to occur, there are also many things that elevate the risk of SIDS. You can decrease the risk of your baby falling prey to SIDS if you know what these things are and know how to avoid them.
Smoking, drinking, and drug use during pregnancy are not only bad for your baby’s health down the road, but might even be immediately fatal. Studies have found that those who smoke, drink, or do drugs while they are pregnant subject their babies to a much higher risk-level when it comes to SIDS. Of course, you would be best cutting these things out of your life altogehter – for both your own health and the health of those around you. But even if you do not do so, you need to cut these out of your life while you are pregnant. It is not just your own smoking that could increase your baby’s risk of SIDS either, but is also smoke from those around you. Babies who have been exposed to smoke following birth have been shown to be much more susceptible to SIDS. On top of these specific areas that pertain to smoking, drinking, and drug usage, there are some specific things you can do yourself to lessen the risk of your baby falling prey to SIDS. As poor prenatal care has been shown to be a contributing factor to SIDS, you should make sure you have optimal prenatal care. Stomach sleeping and overheating are two more contributing factors that can cause SIDS to occur – and both of these things are easily avoidable. Make sure you have not bundled your baby in excessive sleepwear and bedding, and do what you can to make sure your baby is not sleeping on its stomach. While SIDS is still largely a mystery, there are certain things you can do to lessen the risk of this tragedy occurring in your own family; know what these things are, and take care of them yourself.
