According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are around 3,400 deaths due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in the United States every year. These deaths occur in babies under one year old and have no apparent cause. The unknown is what makes SIDS so scary for most parents. Despite being such a mystery, there are certain actions parents can take in SIDS prevention.
SIDS prevention tips
Another risk factor for SIDS: Co-sleeping
Some parents feel that co-sleeping helps them keep the closest eye on their baby while developing a lifelong bond. This might not be the best idea for a few reasons. “Suffocation and strangulation are environment-driven problems that can be prevented,” Michael Goodstein, MD, told TODAY Parents.
In other words, you can’t control the environment while co-sleeping, there’s too much going on from mattress firmness, blankets, and parents rolling over. There are just too many potential problems. “We may not be able to prevent all SIDS deaths, but we can minimize the risks,” Dr. Goodstein added.
Your bedding alone could increase your baby’s risk of SIDS by 20 times according to Dr. Goodstein. While we all want to have the closest possible bond with our babies, co-sleeping with an infant is not the answer.
