Tips For Better Sleep

In the United States, there are 2,500 families that weep every year after the parents find their sleeping babies dead. The pain and the trauma are just too heavy to bear, and it may take a lifetime to recover.  The culprit to be blamed for these situations is the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome usually kills babies less than a year old. The death remains to be unexplained amidst clinical history checks, autopsy findings and thorough investigation. The baby is usually found dead while sleeping, and does not seem to have suffered.

There are some factors that are associated to the occurrence of SIDS. These include:   -        Prenatal complications
-        Mother’s abuse of drugs such as heroin during pregnancy
-        Exposure to smoke
-        Inadequate care and nutrition during pregnancy
-        Teenage pregnancy
-        Heatstroke due to excessive clothing.
-        Soft sleeping surfaces
-        Gender (61 % of SIDS victims are males)
-        Age (babies within 2-4 months old are more prone)
-        Weight (underweight babies are more prone to die of SIDS)
  

Nevertheless, concerned organizations like the American Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Institute made it possible to lessen the impact of SIDS in the society. In fact, there has been 50 percent decrease of infant deaths that can be associated to SIDS from 1985 to present. 

With these in mind, it is safe to conclude that SIDS can be avoided if parents are well-informed and are well-prepared when faced or are at risk with this infant menace. And even simple sleeping habits can help in minimizing unexpected infant deaths.

Read more: 

- Baby Sleep Guide - Keep Your Baby Safe From SIDS

- Helping Baby to Sleep at Night 

-Sleep Problem with Children sleep through the night with nightmares