Sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS is defined as the sudden death of an infant (less than 1 year of age) which cannot be explained even after a thorough investigation been conducted, including review of the medical history, complete autopsy and examination of the infant’s death scene. Let us examine some of the prevention tips of sudden infant death syndrome which are discussed in this article.
Prevention tips for sudden death infant syndrome
- Don’t restrict the infant so that it cannot move its legs, head and arms.
- Don’t place the infant in a protective or shielding valley of blankets, clothing or pillows which might lead to an ‘air dam’.
- Don’t increase the temperature in the infants room (maintain a cool temperature which will be fine for your baby).
- Often check your baby and never be afraid of visiting the infants room as in order to avoid disturbing or waking her or him.
- Introduce air current sin your infant’s room. A ceiling fan or a fan against the wall can help to create gentle cool air inside the room.
- Have a source which can help to enter and exit the air from the room. Partially open door or a open window can help.
- Make sure that the window treatments don’t restrict the inflow of air, so always leave blinds or shades up a bit so that air flows in.
- Bumpers must never be used in the playpens. If they are used ion rooms, be sure there is a gap for the air flow.
- Never place your infant in the centre of a multitude of stuffed animals and toys, as they may cause an ‘air dam’.
- Portable cribs or carriages with raised sides must not be used indoors.
- It is recommended placing the baby in an inclined position while sleeping. This allows the head to be in up position and allows the exhaled air move down to the feet.
- Keep babies off the floor at least about two feet above the floor, because heavy gases are in greater concentration in the bottom of the floor in the room.
- Be very careful and cautious while you cook or heat with gas, while you use kerosene heaters, fireplaces or a barbecue indoors. This is very dangerous for everyone inside the house.
- Houses with attaches garages might be a source of harmful and toxic fumes for the adjacent rooms while care are left running. So, never take your baby in these rooms.
- Furniture polishers, cleaning solvents and painting inside the house do produce harmful fumes, so never take babies to these rooms while these are under the process.
- As some carpet cleaning products use carbon dioxide along with other chemicals in the cleaning agents, thus put off cleaned furniture and having rugs until the baby is at least six months old.
- Postpone all home improvements until your baby is above 6 months old, this helps to avoid the airborne dust.
- Avoid having your infant sleep in the basement as heavy fumes get collected in them without allowing them to escape.
- New carpeting is one of the source of fumes which can be harmful to the baby.
These are some of the preventive measures to take care to avoid sudden infant death syndrome.
