What is SIDS?
SIDS stands for Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome. This is when a healthy baby under the age of
1 years old dies suddenly and the
death is unexplained.
Since the launching of the Back
to Sleep campaign in 1994 the National Institute of Child Health &
Human Development reports that the SIDS rate in the U.S. has decreased by more
than 50%. Yet despite the best efforts of supporters, SIDS remains the
number one cause of death for infants from one month to one year of age.
There are many resources
available to both provider and parent regarding reducing the risk of
SIDS, when a death occurs, support for families and more. We have
included some links to various resources and support groups in relation
to SIDS.
We hope you find these
resources beneficial in understanding what you as a provider, parent or
caregiver of children can do regarding assisting in reducing the risk of
SIDS.
Safe
Sleep – Easy Steps for Caregivers
1.
Healthy
babies should always sleep on their backs. Side sleeping is not as safe
as back sleeping and is not advised.
2.
Get
a physician's note for non-back sleepers that explains why the baby
should not use a back-sleeping position.
3.
Use
safety-approved cribs and firm mattresses (cradles and bassinets may
provide safe sleeping enclosures, but safety standards have not been
established for these items).
4.
Keep
cribs free of toys, stuffed animals, and extra bedding.
5.
Place
the child's feet to the foot of the crib and tuck in a light blanket
along the sides and foot of the mattress. The blanket should not come up higher than
the infant's chest. Another option is to use sleep clothing and nothing
else in the infant's crib.
6.
Sleep
only 1 baby per crib.
7.
Keep
the room at a temperature that is comfortable for a lightly clothed
adult.
8.
Visually
check on sleeping babies often.
9.
No
smoking around babies. Make sure babies are being watched when you go
outside to smoke. Child care providers who smoke should do so outside,
with an overcoat on. The overcoat will be removed when they return to
work. Never allow smoking in a room where babies sleep, as exposure to
smoke in a room where babies sleep, as exposure to smoke is linked to an
increased risk of SIDS.
10. Have supervised "tummy
time" for awake babies. This will help babies strengthen their
muscles and develop normally.
11. Teach staff about safe sleep
policies and practices and be sure to review these practices often.
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What is SBS?
SBS stands for Shaken Baby
Syndrome. SBS is the collection of signs and symptoms resulting from
violent shaking of an infant or small child.
This is a form of child abuse.
In America every year an estimated 1,200 - 1,400
children are shaken for whom treatment is sought. Of these tiny victims,
25 -30% die as a result of their injuries. The rest will have lifelong
complications. It is likely that many more babies suffer from the effects
of SBS yet no one knows because SBS victims rarely have any external
evidence of trauma.
Common Symptoms of Shaken Baby
Syndrome:
· Lethargy / decreased muscle
tone
· Extreme irritability
· Decreased appetite, poor
feeding or vomiting for no apparent reason
· Grab-type bruises on arms or
chest are rare
· No smiling or vocalization
· Poor sucking or swallowing
· Rigidity or posturing
· Difficulty breathing
· Seizures
· Head or forehead appears larger
than usual or soft-spot on head appears to be bulging
· Inability to lift head
· Inability of eyes to focus or
track movement or unequal size of pupils
It’s important for parents and
care providers to have a plan when they can no longer cope with a child
and fear they may harm the child.
SBS is 100% preventable ! ! !
