SIDS
mummy~to~connor
from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). SIDS means that babies die
suddenly, without warning and for no obvious reason, while they are
asleep.
SIDS is very rare. More than 4999 out of every 5000 babies in South
Australia do not die from SIDS. SIDS is the most common cause in
Australia of death for babies between 1 month and 12 months old, but it
is still rare.
There are some things that you can do that really help prevent it from
happening.
What you can do
Put your baby down on his back to sleep.
Make sure your baby's head is not covered when sleeping.
Don't let your baby get overheated.
Keep your baby away from cigarette smoke.
What causes SIDS?
SIDS happens to babies, without warning, while they are asleep. They
may be slightly unwell (such as a runny nose), but otherwise they are
healthy.
The reasons why SIDS happens are not known, but research has found
several things that make the risk of SIDS much lower.
Since parents in Australia and across the rest of the world have
changed how they put babies down for sleep, far fewer babies have died
from SIDS.
Sleeping on the back
Sleeping on the back is safest for babies.
Putting babies to sleep on their back has been the most important
reason why so many fewer babies are dying from SIDS all around the
world.
The chance of babies dying from SIDS is higher if they sleep on their
tummies or sides.
Many babies who are put on their sides for sleep roll over onto their
tummies while they are asleep. Putting a baby to sleep on her side is
not always safe.
Put your baby to sleep on her back from birth, unless you are told by
your doctor that your baby has a health problem that means it would be
better for your baby to sleep on her tummy (this is rarely better for
babies).
Babies who sleep on their back are less likely to choke if they vomit
than babies who sleep on their tummy.
By the time that older babies can roll over and move around the cot,
the risk of SIDS is very low. Put them to sleep on their back, but let
them find the position they feel most comfortable in for sleep.
Being on the tummy while awake
It is quite safe to put a baby down on his tummy on a firm surface (eg.
on a blanket on the floor) while he is awake.
This helps babies to learn how to lift their heads, use their arms and
explore the world.
While babies are awake, there is no risk of SIDS, but turn them onto
their backs if they fall asleep.
Head shape
If babies always sleep in the same position, the back of their head may
become flattened (called 'plagiocephaly').
This does not affect brain growth, and for most babies, the shape of
the head becomes rounder as babies get older and move their heads
around more during sleep.
To reduce this, settle babies to sleep on their backs, but turn their
heads to the right for some sleeps and to the left for other sleeps,
until they are old enough to move around and change their sleeping
positions by themselves.
If you are concerned about the shape of your baby's head, ask your
doctor to check it.
Keep your baby's face and head uncovered when sleeping
Make sure that your baby's face and head are not covered when she is
asleep.
Make up the cot so that your baby's head cannot slide under the
bedclothes. A good way of doing this is by making up the cot so that
your baby's feet are at the end of the cot.
Click here to view a diagram of a safe cot.
Use a firm, well-fitting mattress for your baby.
Tuck the covers in, so that your baby does not wriggle under the
covers.
If she does manage to wriggle under the bedclothes, you could try
dressing her in warm clothing and putting her down without a rug or
sheet.
Do not use a loose cover such as a doona (quilt).
Keep fluffy toys, pillows and cot bumpers out of the cot when your baby
is asleep. Babies do not need pillows to sleep comfortably.
Don't put your baby on a waterbed, 'U' shaped pillow or beanbag.
See the topic Safe sleep for more information about a safe place to
sleep.
Taking a baby into an adult bed may be unsafe. See the topic Sleeping
with your baby for more information.
Don't let your baby get overheated
Babies can get too hot if they:
sleep with their heads covered
wear too much clothing
sleep with heavy blankets or rugs
sleep in a room that is too warm.
If your baby is sweating around the face, head or neck, your baby is
too hot.
If your baby feels hot or sticky, take off some rugs or clothing or
turn down the heat.
If he sleeps better when wrapped, use a light sheet (see the topic
Wrapping babies).
Cigarette smoke
Cigarette smoke harms babies before and after birth.
To help prevent SIDS, keep your baby away from cigarette smoke while
you are pregnant and for the first year of life at least. But remember
- cigarette smoke still causes health problems for older children.
Research has shown that it is unsafe to share your bed with your baby
if you are a smoker. (See the topic Sleeping with your baby)
Don't smoke anywhere near a baby, such as in the baby's room or in the
car if the baby is there.
Make sure that others do not smoke around your baby.
In South Australia there is a special 'Quitline' for pregnant women
1300 889 010. For other smokers, the Quitline is 13 18 48.
Sleeping with your baby
Babies who sleep in their parents' room seem less likely to die from
SIDS, but sharing a bed is not always safe.
It may be safest to place your baby in a crib, 'portacot' or cot next
to your bed until one year of age. After this there is almost no risk
of SIDS.
See the topic Sleeping with your baby for more information about the
research on co-sleeping.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is very good for babies, but research has not shown that
it helps protect babies from SIDS.
Immunisation
Immunisation does not increase the risk of SIDS.
Dummies and SIDS
A dummy (pacifier) use may reduce the risk of SIDS, but it may
interfere with breastfeeding in the early weeks.
Medicines
It has not been proven that medicines given to babies for colic, reflux
or other health problems cause babies to die from SIDS.
However, many medicines are not recommended for young babies, in order
to avoid any risk that the medicine could be a cause. Check what is
written on the packaging.
Use only medicines that your doctor suggests for your baby and follow
the directions on the bottle carefully.
Medicines to help baby sleep are not generally a good idea for babies
under one year, unless a doctor advises you to use them.
Resources
South Australia
SIDS and Kids SA
301 Payneham Rd, Royston Park, SA 5070
Phone (08) 8363 1963, Country callers 1800 656 566
http://www.sidsandkids.org/sa/index.html
Australia
SIDS and Kids Online
Links to local associations in Australia, plus a lot of information
about SIDS
http://www.sidsandkids.org/home.html
NSW Health, for information about preventing SIDS in other languages
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/health-public-affairs/mhcs/publications/3705.html
References
SIDS and Kids Online 'SIDS and kids: safe sleeping' Pamphlet on the
SIDS and Kids (Australia) website
SIDS and Kids Online 'Frequently asked questions'
SIDS and Kids Online 'Other reducing the risk information'
http://www.sidsandkids.org/home.html
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to
professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or
ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere
in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.