Infantile Safe Sleeping Practices For First-Time Parents

Content Trigger Warning: This article talks about subjects that may be painful or triggering for some. Content includes speaking about infant death. As much as I would love for everyone to read my words, please take care of yourself as you're reading this article, and if it triggers you, please initiate self-care protocols and exit the page.

Did you know, that sleeping is a pretty big deal for babies?

I mean, what's that saying? All babies do is eat, poop, and sleep? To be fair when you are that tiny, your body is putting ALL of its resources into development and growth, so sleep is a vital function of an infant. And growing up is exhausting- remember?

But sleeping isn't always safe for brand-new tiny humans who don't have enough strength to move their bodies beyond a meager little wiggle yet.

You know, I feel terrible for the scientists who research this stuff. Can you imagine, being a scientist, researching how many babies die every year just by sleeping, and how these babies died...and then having a baby?

Talk about never sleeping again, which is what I thought would happen. For the first three months of my first-born child's life, I didn't sleep unless someone else was awake, and watching her sleep. Thank God for Grandmas, because if it hadn't been for my mother, I think I would have lost my mind and sanity.

SUIDS was, and still is with every child I have, my biggest fear.

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome. Yeah, it's a scary name, right? And it's exactly as it sounds. When an infant dies in their sleep, and after a full medical examination is done and there is no determinable cause of death, it's labeled as SIDS. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which is a subcategory of SUIDS.

The age your child is most at risk for SIDS, is between 2 and 4 months, and the risk truly starts decreasing about 6 months of age. But... I do know someone whose child died unexpectedly in his sleep at two years. That is very, very uncommon, by the way. After 6 months infants have developed, allowing their brain and muscles to develop to the point that they can be more relied on to do their job.

Not a lot is known about the cause of true SIDS. Most of the time, the most explicable cause is asphyxiation, caused by the infant's airways being cut off. Meaning that this baby laid in a position, or had something in the crib that suffocated them to death in their sleep. Sometimes, babies just stop breathing too. There is no real explanation for what causes SIDS in some.... but the good news is with correct safe sleeping habits, your baby can sleep safe and sound through the night, and set your worries to ease.

That's the most devastating thing about the 3600 infants that die from SIDS in America each year, is a good portion of those could have been prevented.

Yeah... you read that right. Each year in America alone, 3600 infants die from SIDS. And sometimes, it's preventable. With just a little knowledge, we can help carve a path to a safer future for babies, by educating as many people as we can on safe sleeping practices.

To any parent or relative who has lost a beloved child in anyway, including SIDS - my heart is with you. I can't imagine that feeling, and I doubt anyone could ever understand your pain, unless they've been through it. There are no words for me that could do justice to the feeling in my heart for any parent out there who has lost a baby or child. There is not a single thing I could think of that could be a worse life event. And for those of you parents who are surviving the loss of your children, just know that I think you are the strongest and bravest people on the face of the planet.

Let's get down to brass basics.

I'm going to emphasize that the cause of SIDS is unknown - but research shows that sometimes it can happen when there is a problem in the brain that controls breathing and waking from sleep.

Breathing is the key here - and what you need to understand is that your teeny-tiny newborn infant doesn't have a lot of muscles, or muscle memory yet. So it's important to always make sure they are sleeping in a way that keeps their nose and mouth uncovered, and their air passages clear.

There are things that can make your child more at risk for SIDS:

• Tobacco AND VAPE fumes during the pregnancy or exposure to secondhand smoke or fumes after they are born.
• Development defects of the infant's brain
• Respiratory illnesses - according to Mayo Clinic, research says that many infants who passed away from SIDS had had a respiratory illness
• Babes who are born under-weight
• If the mother was negligent in getting medical care during pregnant
• If the mother ingested substances frequently during the pregnancy like drugs or alcohol
• Race - while it's not yet understood why, Native Americans, people of African descent, and Alaskan Natives have a higher risk of SIDS.
• Boys are more likely to suffer from SIDS than girls.

Things You Can Do To Lower Your Risk Of SIDS

Safe sleeping practices are the number one way to ensure your baby's safety while they sleep. While SIDS can't be 'prevented,' there are many things you can do to make sure that your baby has the best possible chance at a full life. The ABCs of Safe Sleep are a really great way of remembering how to keep your baby safe in their sleeping area.

What are the ABCs of safe sleep? Alone on their Back, in a Crib, in a Smoke-Free environment. Remember that any infants who fall asleep anywhere but their bassinet or crib need to be moved to their crib. While they may look comfy and cute when they fall asleep in their car seat, high chair, or swing, infants under 6 months old respiratory muscles may not be strong enough to continue to breathe in the crooked position. The result is they stop breathing and don't wake up. Not to mention you will be grateful that your child is accustomed to sleeping in their bed when they are a little older. It makes sleep training much, much easier.

Make sure their mattress isn't too soft, and no blankets except the one they are firmly swaddled in. As long as they are dressed in a snug baby jumper, and the temperature of your house isn't drastic, your baby will be very comfortable in their snuggly PJs and swaddle blanket. Getting them overheated may also interrupt their ability to breathe as well and can raise the risk. And I like to think people can tell when their wee one is too cold... layers of secure clothing is the answer.

No loveys, stuffies, plushies, or toys either. They can have a favorite lovey when they are older and have mastered the basics of not dying in their sleep.

No bumpers on the inside of the crib - remember your baby can't roll over and bump their heads until they are at least 8 weeks old, but they can wiggle enough to cover their mouth and nose with the bumper and suffocate themselves with it. Aesthetics don't matter if they can be fatal. And I think them smushing their forehead into a crib bar is much less scary than finding them unbreathing.

Refrain from baby monitoring gadgets - you're just wasting your money. They can't prevent SIDS, and you're putting dangerous items in with your baby while they sleep.

Breastfeeding is the magical cure-all answer to a lot of things when it comes to infants (as complicated as it makes mom's life), including helping reduce your baby's risk of SIDS.

And surprisingly, vaccinations. Research shows that children who are vaccinated are less likely to suffer from SIDS.

Pacifiers also show to reduce the risk of SIDS. If your infant falls asleep with a pacifier in their mouth, it's perfectly safe so long as it does not have any attachments that bind the pacifier to the baby's clothing. If their pacifier falls out during sleep, don't try to put it back in.

And there you have it... the basics of SIDS. And some of the ways that you can keep your sweeties safe while they sleep. Congrats on your new bundle of cherub perfection, and may your parenting journey be less harrowing than mine!

Time is precious, thank you so much for taking some to read my article. I hope you enjoyed it and it proved useful in some way!

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