For new parents, remembering all the details of caring for an infant can be daunting. Safe sleep is one such important detail.
Recent research, reported by the Washington Post, has pointed toward some potential causes and prevention for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, these same researchers acknowledge that testing infants for the risk factors of SIDS is far off.
However, there are steps that parents can take to help ensure their child sleeps safely. According to American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, parents should:
- Avoid smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs during pregnancy and after birth.
- Place the baby on his or her back every time they are put to sleep.
- Use a firm sleep surface, with no soft objects or loose bedding in the crib.
- Share bedrooms but not beds.
- Consider using a pacifier for naps and bedtime.
- Avoid overheating the baby and the baby’s room.
- Follow the routine immunization schedule.
- Avoid products marketed as reducing the risk of SIDS, as none have been proved to do so.
To learn more about SIDS, visit the CDC website.
