SIDS Prevention

August 27, 2008

I had a brother who died of SIDS when I was 3 years old (he was 8 months old when he died).  The day of his death is my earliest memory.  So perhaps it’s not surprising, then, that I started freaking out when I was about 7 months pregnant with my first child, plagued by the question: What if she doesn’t wake up?

Before I get started here, let me say a little something.  First, I have no fancy credentials which gives me authority to speak on this subject.  I’m simply passing on what I’ve read and sharing what I’ve implemented in my home.  You’ll have to read the information for yourself and decide what you think because there is a HUGE range of opinions about SIDS (just google “SIDS prevention” and you’ll see what I mean).  And the information seems to change all the time.

But anyway, I’ll get straight to my point. We wrap our crib mattress in plastic (think giant Ziploc) to prevent toxic gases from reaching the baby.  Here’s an article that explains it pretty well, with lots of references included.  It’s based on a study done in New Zealand.  Be aware, the study has not been scientifically proven and there has been a lot of question as to its statistical accuracy, but the claim is that not a single baby in New Zealand has died of SIDS while sleeping on a properly wrapped mattress since this study began in 1994.

My faith is not in a piece of plastic; my faith is in God.  God is the one who decides when my children’s time on earth is over and I rest in knowing He knows best.  Nevertheless, for me, that piece of plastic has provided a whole lot of peace of mind.

This post is part of Works for Me Wednesday over at Rocks in My Dryer.  Go on over there and find a whole lot more WFMW posts!

Category: Parenting
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Comments

9 Responses to “SIDS Prevention”

  1. Rena Gunther
    August 27th, 2008 @ 6:46 am

    Hi Amy!

    What a thought provoking WFMW post!

    My youngest is almost 2 now; however, I was compelled to read your post. What an amazing discovery.

    When our faith is in Him, we can trust where He leads. …including a piece of plastic around a mattress.

    I’m going back now to look over you blog a bit more!

    Rena Gunther

  2. Kama
    August 27th, 2008 @ 10:52 am

    Thanks for sharing this. Our first baby is due in 5 weeks. I have a friend whose baby died a few years ago of SIDS.
    God is definitely the one we put our trust and faith in as well. Thanks!!

  3. Amy
    August 27th, 2008 @ 11:38 am

    Those articles are fascinating! Did you purchase one of the mattress covers listed, or did you use something different? Thanks for sharing!

  4. amy
    August 27th, 2008 @ 12:04 pm

    Hey all, glad you stopped by! Amy, I don’t remember where we got ours, but I think you’re good to go as long as the cover is gas-impermeable.

  5. Daiquiri
    August 27th, 2008 @ 1:49 pm

    Wha?! Really!? I’ve never heard of this. I’ve heard (obviously) about placing themon their backs, keeping their room cool, and encouraging the pacifier. I’ve also used a “waterproof” matress cover…maybe that kept gasses away? I also love the “Angel Care” baby monitor. It sounds an alarm if it doesn’t detect movement from the baby in 20 seconds.

  6. Anonymous
    August 27th, 2008 @ 4:15 pm

    I recently read an article from a knowledgeable pediatrician and she has been in practice for over 26 years. Her specialty is SIDS and SIDS prevention. She said something very intersting in her article and that was she has never seen a case of SIDS where the baby was completely breast fed and received no immunizations.

  7. Aubrey
    August 28th, 2008 @ 6:47 am

    I’m a family practice physician and so I am often counseling families about prevention of SIDS. Although I’m not as familiar with this New Zealand study, there are a few other things I’d add.
    1. Back to sleep. Always put the baby on their back.

    2. In their own bed. I know some people are fans of the family bed, but you really have to be careful when newborns are sleeping on an adult bed. All the pillows and blankets can easily suffocate them.

    3. Nothing in the bed except 1 thin blanket, on a well-fitted sheet. No pillows needed, no stuffed animals, no big, bulky blankets. Keep the room warmer or put the baby in warmer pajamas if you are worried they’ll be cold.

    4. Never put the baby to sleep on a couch. About 6 months ago, one of my patients died when he was put to sleep on a couch. He got up next to the thick pillows and couldn’t breathe.

    5. No smoking around the baby. What that means is that NO ONE should care for the baby who smokes. Even if you smoke outside, it is still on your clothes and it your hair.

    6. Pacis definitely help. The sucking action reminds babies to keep breathing.

    All that said, we do have to trust God because he hold us all in his hands. But we can make wise decisions about how to best care for our children. Thanks for a great post!

  8. katiedid
    August 28th, 2008 @ 7:22 am

    i a glad that you are thinking about ways to prevent SIDS. Chances are your brother was sleeping on his back, which was standard recommendation for babies until 1994. SIDS cases have been reduced substantially since the Back To Sleep campaign, but SIDS still takes the lives of over 2000 babies a year, while more die from suffocation or being in an “unsafe Sleep environment”, which includes sleeping with too many “soft objects” in the crib.( it also includes babies sleeping anywhere but in their own crib. but i won’t go there since the Bed sharing controversy is way too volatile for me to debate!) The only thing that should be in the crib with your baby is a mattress covered with a tight fitting sheet. I suggest the use of a wearable blanket which is worn over regular pajamas, to keep baby warm ( but not too warm, as that is another SIDS risk). The Halo SleepSack wearable blanket seems to be the “gold standard” product. It was developed by a Dad who lost his daughter to SIDS, and is endorsed by the SIDS groups.
    Whatever you do, don’t buy one of those “sleep positioner” things. I know a woman whose son suffocated while in one. God knows why they haven’t been outlawed or recalled or whatever.

  9. Pam
    August 28th, 2008 @ 11:46 am

    Of course you would be nervous about SIDS if you’ve experienced it personally. I’d like to echo what the physician said.

    As to the claim of Dr. Sprout from New Zealand, I challenge him as to the accuracy of his findings. First, Dr. Sprout is a PhD, not an MD. 2nd, he is selling a product. Third, none of his studies have been replicated - a requirement in the scientific field.

    If you want to purchase a mattress cover and you can afford it, go ahead. But understand that most babies live. Of those 2200 babies that die each year, most of them are still not sleeping on their backs. Many of them are found on unsafe sleep surfaces like an adult bed or couch. Based on smoking rates in the United States, as many as 430 of those deaths can be attributed to babies exposed to second hand smoke either pre or post natally.

    All the things that the doctor before me said have been scientifically proven to keep babies safe. But until we know the true cause, we can’t guarantee that any baby specific baby will be safe.

    Remember, we have many more tools today as parents than we did back in 1991 when my daughter died, or 1994 when your brother died.

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