I’m late with posting for National Sleep Awareness Week which is March 12-18.
SIDS- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a term used to describe sudden or unexpected deaths of babies less than 1 year. These deaths often happen during sleep.
According to The American Academy of Pediatrics, approximately 3500 infants die annually in the United States from sleep-related infant deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome.
Things to Remember:
- Keep soft objects and loose bedding away from the infant’s sleep area to reduce the risk of SIDS, suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation.
- Consider offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime.
- Avoid smoke exposure during pregnancy and after birth.
- Avoid overheating and head covering in infants.
- Infants should be immunized in accordance with recommendations of the AAP and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Supervised, awake tummy time is recommended to facilitate development and minimize the development of positional plagiocephaly.
- Enroll in SIDS risk-reduction classes
Understanding how to put your child to sleep is just as important as you getting enough sleep to be fully alert and aware to care for them.