Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the unexpected and unexplained death of an infant who appeared to be in good health. This syndrome frightens all new parents. We will try to guide you as best we can to avoid it.
What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?
The name is quite unambiguous: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is defined by the unexpected and unexplained death of a baby under one year of age.
It generally occurs during the child's sleep. The baby falls asleep normally and stops breathing while in perfect health.
It is the leading cause of death in infants under one year of age.
What is the difference from unexpected infant death?
For unexpected infant death (UID), the cause or causes of death are understood after the baby's death (cardiac, infectious, traumatic origin, etc.) following an etiological assessment.
If at the end of this assessment no cause is determined, it is classified as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Up to what age can sudden infant death syndrome occur?
The syndrome can affect a baby from 0 to 24 months. However, it is very rare for this to happen after one year.
Statistics on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in France
| Between 250 and 350 deaths per year | Peak deaths during the 2 first months | 75% of deaths occur before the age of 6 months |
Source: National Observatory of Unexpected Infant Death
The good news is that this number decreased by more than 75% between 1950 and 1990 thanks to a prevention campaign encouraging parents to put babies to sleep on their backs. But many more cases could still be prevented!
How can Sudden Infant Death Syndrome be prevented?
Although the causes are difficult to determine, certain links have been identified, which helps reduce the risk of SIDS.
Put your baby to sleep on their back
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome occurs particularly during the child's sleep. Several measures are known to prevent it. You should always put your baby to sleep on their back — not on their side or stomach, on their back. From 6 months onward, when your baby can roll over on their own, this may no longer be necessary if they do so by themselves.
Choosing a firm mattress for your baby
No soft or overly cushioned mattresses. Your baby must sleep on a firm mattress. Do not add a pillow, blanket, or soft toys to avoid any risk of suffocation. If you are worried they will be cold at night, use a sleeping bag appropriate for their size and the season instead.
Learn more about: How to dress your baby at night
Do not overheat the room
The ideal temperature is between 18 and 20 degrees. A baby adapts better to cooler temperatures, and overheating would increase the risk of SIDS.
Of course this does not apply in summer :)
Sleep in the same room
For the first 6 months, it is preferable to sleep in the same room as your baby — not in the same bed, but in the same room.
Breastfeed for the first 6 months
It appears that breastfeeding has a protective effect on babies and reduces the risk of SIDS.
No smoking!
Yes, tobacco is, as you know, harmful to you and therefore equally harmful to your baby. Some studies show that babies exposed to smoke in the first months of life and those whose mother smoked during pregnancy have a higher risk of SIDS.
Give them a pacifier
Pacifier sucking has been associated with a reduced risk of SIDS. Why? It appears to prevent the baby from rolling onto their stomach, the main cause of the syndrome.
Of course, if they don't want it, don't force it :)
Also, during their awake periods, try to encourage tummy time so they can strengthen their little neck and back.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome worries all parents who are aware of it. Remember that it is still a very rare occurrence and that by taking all the precautions mentioned above, the risks are very low. Enjoy your baby and parenthood :)
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional.
Sources
- National Observatory of Unexpected Infant Deaths (OMIN) — Statistical data
- Santé Publique France — Dossier on Unexpected Infant Death
- Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) — Management in cases of unexpected infant death
- Naître et Vivre — Prevention measures for sudden and unexpected infant death