What Every New And Expectant Parent Should Know

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Concerns You May Have And The Facts About Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

As an expectant or new parent, friends or relatives may have mentioned something to you about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (or SIDS) or you might have read or heard something in the media. In either case, your concerns can probably be summed up by saying that you are frightened and full of questions about this strange syndrome. In many cases, what is passed on regarding SIDS can be loaded with misinformation.

May We Share With You These Facts?

• Since the cause or mechanism of death in SIDS is not yet known, there is no specific means of predicting it.
• Nearly 6,000 babies die as a result of SIDS every year in the USA.
• Peak incidence of SIDS is 2 to 4 months of age, but it can occur between one week and one year of life.
• A minor illness, such as a common cold, may be present but most victims appear to be healthy prior to death.
• There appears to be no suffering, death occurs very rapidly, usually during sleep.
• Research to date shows that the cause of SIDS is not suffocation, aspiration or regurgitation.
• SIDS is NOT contagious.
• SIDS is not hereditary.
• SIDS occurs in families at all social and economic levels.
• SIDS is not caused by immunizations

One day researchers will find the causes and possible means of preventing SIDS, but until then we, at the SIDS Foundation of Washington offer emotional and informational support to bereaved families. Your donation can help us continue our programs and can be a wonderful way to honor the birth of your baby.

What We Can Do To Reduce The Risk

Parents need to remember reducing the risk will not guarantee the prevention of SIDS; but, there are some things parents can do to provide their babies with the best start in life.

• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "apparently healthy" infants sleep on their back or side. Consult with your baby's doctor first to insure that this position is appropriate for your baby.
• Avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs during pregnancy.
• Do not allow the baby to get too hot or too cold.
• Provide a smoke free environment after birth.
• Breastfeed or provide breast milk, if possible.
• Baby's bed should be a firm mattress or other firm surface. Do not use fluffy blankets or comforters under your baby.
• Avoid becoming pregnant during the teen years.
• Try to space 18-24 months between the birth of your children.
• Obtain prenatal care and proper nutrition.
• Obtain postnatal care, including immunizations.
• Avoid crowds or individuals with colds.
• Wash hands before handling the baby.

Checking your baby dozens of times as it sleeps will only serve to tire you more and feed your inclination to worry. Concentrate, instead on the fact that the weeks and months of your baby's first year of life are an exciting and wonderful time. Try to forget the "what if questions that can plague all of us at one time or another.

Remember That 998 Babies Out Of 1,000 Do Not Die Of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

The SIDS Foundation is here not only to help those parents whose baby has died due to SIDS, but also to assist you, our community, in answering questions and addressing concerns you may have regarding SIDS.

For More Information

• Send an e-mail message to the SIDS Foundation of Washington at sids-wa@zipcon.net

• Visit their website at: http://www.sidsofwa.org

This pamphlet was prepared by the SIDS Foundation of Washington. No part of this brochure may be reprinted or reproduced without permission from the SIDS Foundation of Washington. c 1983 Revised 1996

Printing for the (paper) brochure has been sponsored by a gift from Dr. Louis & Sally Roselli, grandparents of Drew Michael Lydum