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 ! ! !
