Safe sleep for baby

A few simple precautions can reduce the risk of SIDS

By Susan Hayes, MD

Sudden infant death syndrome—often known as “SIDS”—is a term describing the sudden, unexplained death of an infant up to 12 months old. Although no one knows the cause of SIDS, you and others who care for your baby can reduce the risk of sudden death by following these tips:

1. Always place your baby on his back to sleep. A baby who sleeps on his stomach is much more likely to die of SIDS than a baby who sleeps on his back. Use the back sleep position both at naptime and at night.

2. Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as a safety-approved crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet. Never place your baby to sleep on pillows, quilts, sheepskin or other soft surfaces.

3. Keep soft objects, toys and loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep area. Don’t use pillows, blankets, quilts, sheepskin and pillow-like crib bumpers in your baby’s sleep area. Keep any other items away from your baby’s face.

4. Do not allow smoking around your baby. Don’t smoke before or after the birth of your baby, and don’t let others smoke around your baby.

5. Keep your baby’s sleep area close to, but separate from, where you and others sleep. Your baby should not sleep in a bed or on a couch or armchair with adults or other children, but she can sleep in the same room as you. If you bring the baby into bed with you to breastfeed, put her back in a separate sleep area, such as a bassinet, crib or cradle, when finished.

6. Do not let your baby overheat during sleep. Dress your baby in light sleep clothing, and keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult.

7. Reduce the chance that flat spots will develop on your baby’s head. Provide “tummy time” when your baby is awake and someone is watching; change the direction that your baby lies in the crib from one week to the next; and avoid too much time in car seats, carriers and bouncers.

8. A safe crib is the best place for your baby to sleep. Make sure your crib doesn’t have missing or broken hardware, cutout designs in the headboard or footboard, slats more than 2 3/8 inches apart, or corner posts over 1/16 inches high.

Pediatrician Susan Hayes, MD, sees children at the Southside and Dodson Avenue Community Health Centers. Operated by Erlanger Health System, the centers offer adult medicine, pediatric care and OB/GYN care to all, particularly the poor and underserved. For more information, call 778-2700 or 778-2800.