6 Things to Know About Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Let’s talk about SIDS. We know that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is one of the scariest parenting topics out there. But, there’s good news! The National Center for Health Statistics has found that deaths from SIDS has dropped by 29 percent over the past 10 years. Furthermore, there are things you, as parents, can do to reduce the risk of SIDS and protect your baby. But you know what? There’s also a lot that’s misunderstood and so much information out there that it can be confusing and sometimes overwhelming. So we’ve compiled a list of the most common falsehoods about SIDS and left you with some simple truths.
Keep reading to learn more about the facts and fictions about SIDS.
True or False: Babies can “catch” SIDS.
False! A baby cannot catch SIDS. SIDS is not caused by an infection, so it can’t be caught or spread.
True or False: Cribs cause SIDS.
False! Cribs don’t cause SIDS, but a dangerous sleep environment—like a soft sleep surface covered in pillows, stuffed animals and blankets can. Find out more about how to create a safe sleep environment for your infant with a Baby Box.
True or False: Babies who are sleeping on their backs can choke if they spit up or vomit during sleep.
False! Studies show no increase in the number of deaths from choking among babies who sleep on their backs. In fact, some research suggests that babies that sleep on their backs can clear fluids better because their bodies are designed to clear their airways this way.
True or False: SIDS can occur at any age.
False! Most SIDS deaths occur between 1 month and 4 months of age and babies are at risk until they are 1 year old. Once they pass the one year mark, SIDS is no longer considered a risk to your child.
True or False: Sleeping with my infant in the same bed can help prevent SIDS.
False! Sleeping with a baby in an adult bed increases the risk of suffocation (remember: soft sleep surfaces with pillows and blankets can be dangerous to your child) and other sleep-related causes of infant death. We know it’s tempting to co-sleep, but having your baby in a separate sleep space (but in the same room as you) is the safest option.
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