Parents may want their adorable newborns to stay warm and feel cozy in their cribs, but experts say they need to accomplish this feat without relying on pillows, loose blankets, or any other objects that could inadvertently block a baby's airways, leading to suffocation. According to a study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), nearly half of all US babies are at risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) due to the use of "potentially hazardous bedding," which experts describe as blankets, quilts, pillows, and sheets. Though the incidence of SIDS has declined in recent years, it still accounted for 2,000 infant deaths in 2010–a frightening figure.
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The study analyzed not only the incidence of SIDS, but also the type of bedding used by parents from 1993 to 2010. They, in turn, found a correlation between loose bedding and SIDS-related deaths. While nearly 86% of parents employed quilts and blankets in the years 1993 to 1995, the rate declined to 55% in the years 2008 to 2010. Still, the fact remains that 55% of parents are still unknowingly creating an unsafe sleeping environment for their babies.
In order to ensure that babies do not asphyxiate in their sleep, experts recommend that parents always place their children on their backs when laying them down in their cots, then remove all loose bedding and cuddly toys. They also suggest ditching crib bumpers, which present a risk of suffocation once babies begin to roll over in their sleep. To keep babies warm while also taking the necessary precautions to prevent SIDS, experts suggest relying on baby sleeping sacks, which are wearable zippered blankets that essentially create a swaddling effect but which babies can't kick off and which won't accidentally cover a child's face in the way a blanket could. Otherwise, parents can use a blanket to swaddle their child, but they should make sure it's firmly tucked in and that it never reaches above the infant's shoulders.
Experts also frown upon placing pillows underneath babies' heads, warning that the use of pillows increases the risk of aids by 2.5 times.
The findings are scary for any parent–even for those who have read up on SIDS and follow every precaution to ensure their babies' safety. Even if you understand the risk factors and model your behavior to minimize these risks, chances are you'll still worry about SIDS–even if it's just a nagging concern lurking in the back of your mind. Still, it's better to be overly cautious when it comes to this issue. Besides, isn't worrying an inextricable part of parenting?
Image via Corbis
