Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) By Naomi and Channelle

What causes SIDS?? baby sleeping on his or her stomachbaby sleeping on his or her stomach baby born premature or with low birth-weightbaby born premature or with low birth-weight baby near second-hand smokebaby near second-hand smoke baby overheating from too much sleepwear and beddingbaby overheating from too much sleepwear and bedding baby has respiratory tract infectionsbaby has respiratory tract infections mother smoking, drinking, or using drugs during pregnancymother smoking, drinking, or using drugs during pregnancy mother not getting proper medical care while pregnantmother not getting proper medical care while pregnant mother younger than 20 years oldmother younger than 20 years old The actual cause for SIDS is unknown. However, these factors contribute to the statistical probability of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

What structures of the respiratory system are affected? With SIDS, the entire respiratory system stops working, causing the baby to suddenly stop breathing. There is no explanation or reason why.With SIDS, the entire respiratory system stops working, causing the baby to suddenly stop breathing. There is no explanation or reason why.

What are the symptoms/effects of SIDS? There are not any symptoms to diagnose a baby with SIDS. One moment, it could be breathing normally, and the next it would be :’(.There are not any symptoms to diagnose a baby with SIDS. One moment, it could be breathing normally, and the next it would be :’(. The one and only effect of SIDS is death. Hence, the name Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.The one and only effect of SIDS is death. Hence, the name Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

How common is SIDS? SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants between the ages of one month and one year. For every 500 babies, there will be at least one death from SIDS. In Canada, there are three deaths each week.

Is there a treatment for SIDS? Can you recover? Ultimately, there is no treatment or cure for SIDS. You cannot recover from death, so all you can do is take the right precautions by reviewing possible causes for SIDS, such as smoking, drinking, or doing drugs during the pregnancy.

Precautions To precaution against SIDS, do the following for your baby: Put your baby to sleep on his back on a firm, flat surfacePut your baby to sleep on his back on a firm, flat surface Remove soft, fluffy and loose bedding and stuffed toys from your baby's cribRemove soft, fluffy and loose bedding and stuffed toys from your baby's crib Make sure you keep all pillows, quilts, stuffed toys, bumper pads and other soft things away from your baby's sleep area.Make sure you keep all pillows, quilts, stuffed toys, bumper pads and other soft things away from your baby's sleep area. Stay smoke and drug freeStay smoke and drug free Keep babies at a comfortable temperature - not too cold, not too hotKeep babies at a comfortable temperature - not too cold, not too hot Breastfeed your baby, if possibleBreastfeed your baby, if possible SIDS is not genetic, so the only thing that can be done to possibly prevent it would be to take the right precautions.

Sources Canadian Lung Association — It’s a national association, and is government funded. They are frequently updated and reliable.Canadian Lung Association — It’s a national association, and is government funded. They are frequently updated and reliable. Baby Center — It’s an online resource for Canadian mothers, written by and for them.Baby Center — It’s an online resource for Canadian mothers, written by and for them. SIDS Families — a webpage dedicated to the families who have lost babies to SIDS, with information on precautions and safety for infants.SIDS Families — a webpage dedicated to the families who have lost babies to SIDS, with information on precautions and safety for infants.