ASK THE DOCTOR               

William Nichols, M.D., board certified in pediatrics St. Joseph's Mercy Health Center

Is my baby at risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS as it is called?
Any child can be stricken with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS. Once known as crib death, SIDS is a medical disorder that takes the lives of thousands of children between the ages of one week to one year of age, affecting families of all levels and races. Babies will appear to be healthy, but are stricken without warning, usually in their sleep.

How can I prevent this from happening to my child?
The causes of why or how SIDS happens are still unknown. For answers, scientists are looking at the nervous system, the brain and heart, body chemical balances, sleep patterns and possible environmental factors. Studies have now identified risk factors. Although not causes of SIDS, they seem to play a role. To help reduce the risk of SIDS there are some general rules to follow.

• The most important thing you can do to reduce SIDS risk is to lay your infant down to sleep on his back. Although delays in rolling over are common in babies who sleep on backs, the on-the-back position is appropriate for most babies, as well as a simple way to reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Always place a baby on firm, flat bedding because soft materials can trap the carbon dioxide that babies exhale. This means that only a firm mattress, one that is not very pliable or flexible, with a tight-fitting cotton sheet on it, is best for the baby.
• Make sure your baby isn't overheated. Overheating can be caused by a room that is too warm, wearing too much clothing or using too-heavy bedding. Signs of overheating within your baby include: damp hair, sweating or heat rash.
• Findings released by the National Center for Health Statistics reveal that women who smoke cigarettes during or after pregnancy increase their baby's risk for SIDS. Recent research also finds that SIDS risk increases with each additional smoker in a family, the number of cigarettes smoked daily, and the length of time an infant is exposed to smoke.