Things I Didn't Know About S.I.D.S.

I have been surprised at some of the things I've been reading about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention. The guidelines have changed through the years as new research has developed.  Apparently, though, SIDS is still largely a mystery.  What I have learned is that most SIDS deaths occur in bed.  Most of the guidelines, therefore, deal with how a baby should be put to sleep. 

In case, like me, you don't know much about the SIDS guidelines, here are the basics, as well as what you can do to keep your baby safe:

1. Baby is safer in a crib than in his parents' bed.  There is a risk of suffocation if parents accidentally roll over on the baby or the baby gets tangled in the bed sheets.  
• IF YOU ARE SET ON BED SHARING, try the "Arms Reach Co-Sleeper" or "Close and Secure Sleeper."  The Arms Reach is a bassinet that sets up right next to the adult bed, but the baby sleeps on his own and away from the parents' sheets, blankets and pillows.  This way, when he needs attention, the parent needs only to roll over and she can reach the baby.  The Close and Secure Sleeper fits between the parents' pillows and the baby again sleeps away from the bedding, but still within easy reach for feedings, etc. 
2. Baby should sleep on her back.  This one is totally opposite from the recommendation when I was a baby.  The thinking used to be that a baby should sleep on her stomach so that if she spit up at night, she wouldn't choke.  However, the new research says "Back is Best."  Why?  I haven't found a compelling reason, actually.  But, since the recommendation, SIDS deaths have dropped as much as 70% according to sidsillinois.com.  
• IF YOUR BABY WILL NOT SLEEP ON HER BACK (or should not because of GERD), try a nap nanny or even allow your baby to sleep in a swing. 
3. Baby should sleep with no crib bedding, including crib bumpers, pillows, blankets, positioners, and toys.  The idea here is that once the baby can roll over, he can't always roll himself back.  If baby rolls over into the crib bumper or a blanket and gets stuck, he may suffocate.  Interestingly, in Canada, crib bumpers are not endorsed, and the Chicago city council is currently considering a ban on the items due to their potential suffocation hazards.  (More about the blanket thing next.) 
• IF YOU HAVE TO USE THAT ADORABLE BEDDING, just take it out of the crib after the baby is starting to roll over (around 4-6 months old).  Hang that cute quilt on the wall or on the back of a glider. 
• IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT YOUR BABY GETTING HURT IN THE CRIB SLATS, don't.  The distance between slats is regulated so that they are not big enough for a baby to fit through.  Another option is a "Breathable Bumper."
4. Baby should sleep without blankets on a crib mattress as firm as possible.  Here again, the risk is suffocation AND overheating.  Make sure the baby's room is a comfortable temperature for adults--it shouldn't be warmer than the rest of the house.  Make sure there aren't too many layers on the crib mattress.  Just a mattress pad and sheet is enough.  Keep the bed as firm as possible.
• TO MAKE SURE BABY IS WARM ENOUGH, many experts suggest "Sleep Sacks"--wearable blankets that zip up over the baby's PJ's.  These are available for preemies...and go up to 5T!  If you want to use blankets, wrap them tightly around the baby, under his arms, and tuck them into the bottom of the crib mattress so that they do not interfere with the baby's breathing.  For the first few months, swaddle the baby and he'll probably sleep better and be nice and warm without an added layer.
5. Baby should sleep on a waterproof mattress.  If it gets wet and bacteria grows on the mattress, it is a hazard.  
• IF YOU DON'T HAVE A WATERPROOF MATTRESS, a waterproof mattress pad is the next best thing.  Make sure you wash and dry all crib bedding thoroughly.

Other tips that some people recommend are having baby sleep with a ceiling fan to keep air circulating around the room and prevent the baby from breathing in his own exhaled carbon monoxide.  Some experts suggest putting baby to sleep with a pacifier.  Not sure why this one works, but maybe something to consider.