Avoid SIDS by breast feeding and avoiding swaddling

Natural cures for SIDS.

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Prevent SIDS

SIDS is a shortcut that is used for sudden infant death syndrome. This is a sudden and unexpected death of an otherwise healthy baby.

This is a rare condition, and it affects under 300 babies in the United Kingdom each year. SIDS is usually happening during the first six months of the baby’s life.

Physical factors which are linked to SIDS are respiratory infection, low birth weight, and brain abnormalities. Environmental risk factors for SIDS are sleeping with the parents, sleeping on a soft surface, and sleeping on the stomach or side.

There are also other contributing factors, such as the family history of the condition, race, age, and sex of the baby. Those mothers, who have inadequate prenatal care, use drugs or alcohol, are smokers, and are under the age of 20, have the biggest chance of having babies who can be affected by SIDS.

There are no symptoms associated with SIDS because it is instant. There are many ways that can help to reduce the risk of SIDS in your baby, but you should know that there is no 100% way to prevent this condition.

Talk with your doctor about the best way to prevent SIDS in your baby. You should remember that SIDS is not the fault of some parents, and no one should be accused of it. It can happen in families of all social and economic levels. It is known that most cases of SIDS victims have appeared to be healthy before their death.

11 Home remedies and lifestyle changes that you can use or make for SIDS

Do not leave the baby to sleep alone

There are some studies which are shown that when the baby sleeps in the same room with the mother, then this decreases the risk of SIDS. But you should know that it is dangerous for your baby to sleep with another child or adult in the same bed, on a couch, or in an armchair. If you get your baby into your bed for breastfeeding or for comforting, then you should be sure to put the baby back in his own cradle, crib, or bassinet when you are ready to sleep [1]. If you are tired, then you should not breastfeed while sitting on a couch or in a chair in case you fall asleep. Also, you should never bring the baby to bed with you when you are using medicines that affect your sleep or when you are very tired.Image result for Do not smoke around your baby to reduce SIDs

Do not smoke around your baby

If you are a smoker, then you must quit smoking. It is a known fact that babies who are born to women who smoked during the pregnancy die from SIDS 3 times more often compared to babies who are born to nonsmokers. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for SIDS. Also, the secondhand smoke around your baby increases his/her chances of SIDS[1]. You should never let any smoker around your baby.

 

Firm bed, no soft toys or bedding

You should always lay your baby down to sleep on either a firm surface or mattress in a crib or bassinet because, in this way, you will prevent suffocation and smothering [1]. The fitted sheet is all your baby’s crib needs. You should not put crib bumpers, stuffed toys, sheepskin, pillows, or blankets in your baby’s crib.

Natural cures for SIDS

Put a sleeping baby on his back

If your baby sleeps on his stomach or side, then he has an increased chance of getting SIDS. The baby who is placed on his side can roll over on his stomach. These positions put your baby’s face in the sleeping area or mattress, which can smother him. This is a reason why you should always put your baby to sleep on his back when you put him in his bed to sleep, no matter if it is a nap, at night or any time of the day.[1]

You should let your baby sleep in a swing, baby seat, car seat, or stroller for a prolonged period. You should get him out and then lay him on a bed or flat surface. Also, you should tell all people who take care of your baby to put your baby sleeping on his back and explain to them how much this is important. This includes older siblings, childcare providers, babysitters, grandparents, and others. Your people may think that if they put it one time on his side or stomach, it will not matter, but in fact, it can.

The baby usually sleeps on his back, and it is suddenly laid on his stomach to sleep, then his risk of SIDS is increased. You should not be worried that your baby might choke while sleeping on his back. Choking is very rare. Healthy babies tend to cough up or swallow fluids automatically. If you are concerned about your baby, then you should ask your pediatrician about elevating the head of your baby’s bed. Around the sixth month of your baby’s life, he or she can roll over both ways, and your baby may not stay on his back, but this is okay. Once your baby knows how to roll over, you should let him choose his own sleep position. You should never let your baby’s face be covered with bedclothes or clothing. Also, you should avoid using comforters or blankets.

Breastfeed as long as you can

There are some studies in which is said that breastfeeding can lower the risk of SIDS by as much as 50%[2], but experts are not sure why it is like this. There are some people who think that breast milk can protect babies from infections that increase their risk of SIDS.[3]

If you breastfeed, then you should not drink alcohol because this is also increasing the risk of your baby getting SIDS. Also, the simple touch is helpful. It is very important to have skin–to–skin contact because, in this way, your baby is developing.

Do not give honey to an infant under 1 year old

It is a known fact that honey can lead to botulism in very young children.[4]

You should never give honey to a child that is under 1 year old. Bacteria that cause botulism and this condition can be linked to SIDS.

Stay away from products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS

You should avoid any product which says that it can lower your baby’s risk of SIDS because they have not been proven that are effective or safe. Also, electronic respirators and cardiac monitors have not been proven to reduce the risk of SIDS, so this is a reason why you should avoid them.

Make sure your baby does not overheat

We know that babies do not have the ability to regulate their body temperature, and this is a reason why they are sensitive to extreme temperatures. You should put your baby to sleep in a room which has a comfortable temperature. The ideal temperature is between 16–20 degrees Celsius. Also, there is another good step in making sure that your baby doesn’t become too warm, and that is to put your baby to sleep on his back. Also, it is very important not to layer up your baby too much, both in terms of blankets and clothing. In general, is recommended to dress your baby in no more than one extra layer that you would wear.[1]

If your baby is sweating or his/her chest feels hot, then your baby may be too hot. If you are worried that your baby is cold, then you should use a warm sleeper that is the right size for your baby, or you can use a wearable blanket, such as a sleeping sack. You should use them to cover his/her body and not his/her head.

Prenatal care

There are many studies which are shown that good prenatal care can lower the risk of SIDS, but also it will ensure a smooth pregnancy. It is very important for any baby to his/her mother to receive early and regular prenatal care. Also, prenatal care can reduce the risk of premature birth or low birth weight. It is known that they can increase the risk of SIDS. Those mothers who smoke during pregnancy can increase the risk of SIDS for their babies. Also, during pregnancy, you should not drink alcohol or take drugs unless drugs are prescribed by your doctor. You should keep all your prenatal appointments.

Magnesium

There are some studies which are said that the magnesium is playing a role in SIDS and other situations that happen during pregnancy, birth, or infancy. It is shown that low levels of magnesium can lead to dysregulation in the body, poor lung function, etc.[5,6]

Magnesium is one of the most important minerals which you should consume throughout pregnancy and while nursing. It can reduce the risk of pregnancy complications and SIDS. Magnesium sulfate and magnesium chloride are recommended for use but talk with your doctor about the best way you can consume them.Image result for Swaddling to prevent SIDs

Swaddling

This is a term that is used to describe wrapping a light blanket snuggly around your baby. When a baby is crying, then swaddling can help him. If you swaddle your baby, then you should be sure to place him on his back to sleep. When your baby starts to roll, then you should stop swaddling it.

References:

[1] Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths: Updated 2016 recommendations for safe infant sleeping environment. Pediatrics. 2016;138(5).

[2] Thompson JMD, Tanabe K, Moon RY, et al. Duration of breastfeeding and risk of SIDS: An individual participant data meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2017;140(5).

[3] Hauck FR, Thompson JMD, Tanabe KO, et al. Breastfeeding and reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome: A meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2011;128(1).

[4] Abdulla CO, Ayubi A, Zulfiquer F, et al. Infant botulism following honey ingestion. BMJ Case Reports. 2012.

[5] Durlach J, Pages N, Bac P, et al. Magnesium deficit and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): SIDS due to magnesium deficiency and SIDS due to various forms of magnesium depletion: possible importance of the chronopathological form. Magnesium Research. 2002;15(3-4):269-78.

[6] Caddell JL. Magnesium deficiency promotes muscle weakness, contributing to the risk of sudden infant death (SIDS) in infants sleeping prone. Magnesium Research. 2001;14(1-2):39-50.

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