How can sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) be prevented?
Answer Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is still a mostly unexplainable death, was formerly referred to as “crib death.” Statistics show that it is the most common cause of death in infants between the ages of one and six months The cause of this tragic loss is largely unknown, although there is evidence suggesting an abnormality in the area of the brain responsible for respiration, regulation of temperature, heart rhythm and arousal during sleep.1 The incidence of SIDS appears to be higher in boys, during colder months and in African-American and Native-American babies.2 Although this catastrophic cause of death remains a mystery, researchers have learned ways to reduce the incidence of SIDS: • Infants should always be placed on their backs during sleep. This position alone has decreased the incidence of SIDS by 50 percent. • The baby’s mattress should be firm. To prevent suffocation, infants should not be placed on water beds, pillows or other soft surfaces. • Make sure the
