SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the number one cause of death in babies under 12 months. SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby and often occurs during sleep.
SIDS is very frightening for new parents, but there are things you can do to keep your baby safe and help prevent SIDS. Dr. Candice Dye is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Children’s of Alabama and UAB. She says parents and caregivers of babies should remember the ABCs of Sleep. “Alone, on their back, in a crib. It’s that simple,” she says.
ABCs of Sleep
- Alone
- On their Back
- In a Crib
Dr. Dye explains each point:
ALONE- “Items in the crib pose a huge suffocation risk,” she says. “No bumper pads, no stuffed animals, no loose blankets. Nothing else in the crib. A boring crib equals a healthy baby.”
On their BACK- “This is different from when our grandparents or parents were doing this, but babies should be laid down on their back,” Dr. Dye says. “This ensures that the baby can breathe and they are not getting trapped face down unable to breathe.”
In their CRIB- “It’s really easy for parents to be tired and want to keep the baby in their bed with them, but an adult mattress is not the same as an infant crib mattress and there is the risk of the adult rolling onto the baby while sleeping,” she says.
Who is at risk?
All babies are at risk for SIDS. There is no single cause. However, SIDS is more common in black and Native American infants than in Caucasian infants. More boys than girls fall victim to SIDS.
Other risk factors include:
- Smoking, drinking or drug use during pregnancy and after birth
- Poor prenatal care
- Prematurity or low birth weight
- Family history of SIDS
- Mothers younger than 20
- Exposure to secondhand smoke
- Overheating
Dr. Dye strongly recommends that parents make grandparents and caregivers aware about the risk of SIDS and that they follow the ABCs of sleep when caring for the baby. She also cautions parents not to rely on store-bought devices or gadgets that may claim to help prevent SIDS.
Once babies consistently roll over from back to front on their own, they are less at risk of developing SIDS and can sleep in the position they choose. Until then, a parent can greatly reduce the risk of their child dying by SIDS by following the ABCs of sleep.
ABOUT CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA
Since 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children, offering inpatient and outpatient services throughout central Alabama. Ranked among the best pediatric medical centers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s provided care for youngsters from every county in Alabama, 45 other states and six foreign countries last year, representing more than 677,000 outpatient visits and more than 15,000 inpatient admissions. With more than 2 million square feet, Children’s is the third largest pediatric medical facility in the U.S. More information is available at childrensal.org.
Spend your Memorial Day weekend at the Birmingham Zoo! Splash in the fountains, take a ride on the Red Diamond Express train* and Protective Life carousel*, enjoy Wildlife Shows and experience all the Zoo has to offer. In honor of Memorial Day weekend, the Zoo is giving FREE admission to veterans as well as all active and retired military and their dependents. Bring your proof of military service (military ID card, dependent ID card, driver’s license, etc.) to take part in all the fun the Zoo has to offer.
