What do you know about SIDS?
Quite interesting as I was reviewing this topic, it came into mind the story I was told as a child in Sunday school. So what was the story about? It was the story of two women who gave birth, one ‘allegedly ‘slept on her baby and died. She then exchanged with the other woman’s baby overnight. They came to King Solomon with a dispute over claims of who owns the baby which was alive. King Solomon then ordered that the baby be split into two… and the story goes on and on.
As I was writing this piece, I asked myself: what if the woman didn’t sleep over her baby to death? What if it was a case of SIDS? Have you ever thought about it from that angle before? Of course not, unless you probably know what SIDS is or you’re in the medical field?
so what is SIDS and how does it happen? Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of mortality in infants age 1 month to 1 year. It is defined as a sudden and unexpected death that cannot be explained by any history or post-mortem examination. It is uncertain how it happens but may be involved with the brain not maturing enough and early.
Although this condition has no direct cause, there are modifiable factors/triggers that can cause this condition. They include smoke exposure (that is: smoking during pregnancy and or passive postnatal smoke exposure). Others include sleep position and the sleeping environment.
Prone sleeping (i.e. sleeping on the belly) a.k.a. ‘tummy time’ although is helpful to prevent plagiocephaly (flattening of the back of the baby’s head), this should be done only when the baby is awake and the mother is observing. It increases the risks of SIDS.
Also side sleeping (with the baby sleeping on his/her side) should be avoided because the baby can roll into a prone position.
Best sleep position to avoid SIDS risks in babies is Supine (with the baby sleeping on his/her back). During a supine position, babies should be put on a firm flat surface with no objects (toys, pillows, blankets) in the crib or bassinet.
Sharing bed with your baby should be avoided, for two reasons: decrease chances of sleeping over your baby, and usually such beds have softer surfaces that increases SIDS risk. I believe the woman in the Bible story might have killed her baby due for these two reasons already mention, but who knows? You don’t want that to happen to your baby or that of a relative’s, do you?
Lastly, you can use a pacifier for your baby during sleep. Pacifiers are thought to decreases risk of SIDS probably due to keeping the brain awake during sleep a.k.a CNS arousal.
So there you have it, the next you have the opportunity to take care of your baby or that of a relative’s, keep these safe tips in mind! No prone or side sleeping, don’t share bed with the baby— the crib/ bassinet was made for babies for a purpose! No smoking- pre, peri- or postnatal smoke exposure!
If in doubt, use a pacifier when your baby goes to sleep! Thank you for your time!
Till next week, have a great day!
Source: By Alicia Agyemang-Sarpong, MD