October is National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. SIDS is the leading cause of death in Canada for babies between the ages of one month and one year. SIDS refers to the sudden death of a healthy baby while he or she is sleeping.
Although there is no known cause of SIDS that is common across all cases, there are measures that can be taken to help to prevent SIDS from occurring. These should be shared with everyone who will be providing care for a baby during his/her first year of life.
Prevention Strategies:
Always put a baby to sleep on his/her back.
Breastfeed the baby to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Create a smoke-free environment.
Ensure that the baby is not overheating; dress him or her appropriately for the temperature of the room.
Make sure that the surface a baby sleeps on is firm and flat.
Remove crib bumpers, pillow, bulky blankets, and toys from the baby's sleeping area.
Never put a baby on a couch or chair to sleep.
Do not share a bed or other sleeping surface with a baby.
There is hope. Rates of SIDS have decreased in both Canada and Saskatchewan over the last few decades; largely due to information, such as this, being shared with the public. Together, we can reduce the rate of SIDS even more.
For more information, please contact the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute at (306) 651-4300.
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