SIDS: EVERY CAREGIVER'S NIGHTMARE

Written by: Aishat Idowu, RN.

You've probably ever heard one or two mothers lament regarding their babies, saying"...and there was nothing wrong with him before he slept, but he just couldn't wake up thereafter". Maybe not in this form exactly, but with a similar kind of expression, all of it referring to the death of a previously healthy infant. Situations like this we say are due to SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME (SIDS).

SIDS is also called crib death or cot death and it is the sudden unexplainable death of an infant (1 month to 1 year ).  It is the diagnosis made when the death of an infant cannot be ascertained following series of investigations.

The mystery behind this condition is yet to be clearly understood and it known to occur more in boys than girls.

A good understanding of its possible causes, if known by you as a caregiver/mother will be a  great child care asset, giving you an edge over those who don't know.

Below are the factors that increase its occurrence:

• Soft sleeping surface (especially with stuffed toys, blankets etc.)
• Lying babies on their tummy or sides 
• Babies born of mothers who smoked during pregnancy (3 times at risk for SIDS) and while breastfeeding.
• Exposure to surrounding smoke
• Young age of mother (below 20years) at the time of pregnancy
• Preterm or low birth weight babies.

However, the most common risks are the first three factors listed above.

Ordinarily, the disorder sounds scary and that is majorly because the exact cause and pattern of occurrence is not clearly understood and the word 'sudden'.

Nevertheless, its risk can be greatly reduced  using simple approaches;

• Putting babies on their backs while sleeping. Babies placed on their sides or tummy can roll over unto their faces, obstructing their nose and mouth, which may cause breathing difficulty with resulting death (if undetected early). Inform anyone who cares for your child such as your child's nanny, your sisters and other persons not to lay your baby on his side or tummy.

• Use firm beds only, avoid stuffed toys and blankets in your child's cot or sleeping space.

•  Avoid smoking in pregnancy

• Do not smoke or allow anyone to smoke around your baby

• Be in close range whenever your baby sleeps (Many babies who experience difficulty in breathing while sleeping do not get help promptly due to distance from caregivers)

• Do not lay your baby on the same bed with you or another adult, especially when tired or using a medication that affects sleep to avoid turning over the baby and causing airway obstruction.

• Breastfeeding: breastfeeding is very important. It is capable of reducing SIDS considerably. Breastfeed your baby regularly on demand.

• Ensure your baby belches after feeding ( breastmilk or other feeds)

• Ensure your baby is calm before being placed in a cot. Restlessness can increase the chance of cot death.

• Keep your baby in light and comfortable clothes during sleep to avoid heat

During sleep, do not cover your baby's head with a blanket or other clothings. This can interfere with air exchange, causing suffocation and an eventual death, if unnoticed.

Every baby is prone to SIDS, but with tender loving care and the application of the above tips, the risk will be greatly reduced.

Taking precautions is the best and wisest thing do, be a lifesaver and not one who causes danger to her baby due to lack of information and poor attention.

Be informed and act right!