Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also referred to as crib death, is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby under a year old. In the United States, SIDS is the number one cause of death in infants between the ages of 1 month and 12 months old, taking 2,500 lives every year.

SIDS typically occurs while a baby is asleep, experiencing no suffering whatsoever. It is scary and worrisome for new parents as the condition comes on quickly and unexpectedly to babies who don’t appear to have any health concerns.  SIDS has been associated with possible abnormalities in the brain that control breathing and arousal of sleep. The syndrome has also been tied to certain sleep environments, which can increase an infant’s risk.

In order to reduce the risk of SIDS, consider the following:

  • Babies should always rest on a firm mattress. Avoid pillows, waterbeds, couches, chairs and other soft surfaces.
  • To prevent rebreathing, avoid placing blankets, comforters, stuffed animals or pillows that could restrict air flow.
  • Keep the room at a comfortable temperature. If a baby gets too warm, they could enter a deeper sleep that may be more difficult to come out of.
  • Breastfeeding helps to build a baby’s immune system and protect from infections.
  • All recommended immunizations should be received as they can reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 50%.
  • Infant care in Phoenix should be a priority. Make appointments with a pediatrician regularly for well child checkups.

While it is difficult to know the exact cause for SIDS, taking the above precautions may help to reduce the risk. Visiting with a physician for regular infant care in Phoenix will allow them to evaluate your baby’s growth and development, and detect any conditions or other health issues early on. At Pediatrix, providing expert infant care in Phoenix, we know your children are special to you – they’re special to us too – so we make sure that we are providing specialized medical attention to each and every child in our care to ensure that they lead healthy, fulfilling lives. For infant care in Phoenix, please call Pediatrix at (602) 866-0550 or visit us online today.

 

Sincerely,

 

Subir K. Mitra, MD, FAAP