One of the greatest fears of parents, when they have their baby, is the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also known as Death in the Cradle. The reasons for it happening are not yet clear, although they are getting closer to finding them (at least, more and more related factors are known).
Now, that it is not yet known why it does not mean that nothing can be done to prevent it, because when studying the deaths of babies it is possible to find common factors to avoid.
One of them happens especially in winter, with the cold, and that's why this warning today: Sudden baby death syndrome is more frequent in the cold months.
When we shelter them more than they need
The risk of sudden death increases in winter because we do not always shelter them properly. There are parents who believe they are colder than they really have and they warm them more (or much more) of what they really need, and that puts a baby at risk because he begins to breathe more deeply, he can become exhausted and reach a point where he suffers a heat stroke, or makes an apnea and stops breathing.
In Babies and more The 16 things you should do to prevent sudden death of the baby
The recommendation in this regard, therefore, is as follows:
Do not use protectors, stuffed animals, cushions or blankets in the crib
The crib must have the least amount of things possible. The protectors increase the danger of choking the baby and entrapment and that is why they are no longer used.
Teddies, which some parents might think could give them warmth, are dangerous because of the risk of suffocation, and the cushions and comforters have the same problem: they are soft, they can move and can end up on the baby's head.
That is why it is recommended that baby sleep alone with pajamas, without covering up, having a pleasant room temperature.
If this is not possible, if only with the pajamas you will be cold, then it is recommended to use something that covers the baby but not his head (a lightweight sleeping bag), or bedding set too low, so that the baby sleeps at the foot of the crib, with enough bedding to cover only the body. Thus, as it grows, the bedding gets higher and higher.
Not having cushions or soft clothes that can end up in your head, in case of colecho
After three months, when according to studies, the risk of sudden death is lower if the baby sleeps with the parents, it must be clear that there are no added risks in that bed.
In Babies and more Experts warn: there are still many babies who sleep on their stomachsThat the mattress is firm, that there are no loose cushions that can end up on the baby and that the comforter or duvet can not even cover the baby completely (in any case, it is better to use blankets than quilt or duvet). Nor roll cushions or positioners.
Finally what the room temperature is adequate and not exaggerated, so that in any case the baby does not get too hot.
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In Babies and more | The 16 things you should do to prevent sudden death of the baby, What is sudden infant death syndrome? In countries where babies have always slept with their parents they hardly know what sudden death is
