You've probably heard of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) at some point. It's a topic that frightens all of us, and that's why I'm going to tell you about the preventive practices we can implement to ensure safe sleep.
Who does it affect?
Sudden infant death syndrome affects children under one year of age, a critical developmental period. Current studies show it's more common in the first six months of life, and within those six months, the peak incidence is between 2 and 4 months. After 6 months, it's rarer, though it can still occur.
Risk factors
- The biggest risk factor is sleeping position. If the baby sleeps on their stomach, they have a higher predisposition to sudden death. That's why pediatricians always recommend parents put our babies to sleep on their backs. At least for the first 6 months of age; after that, they learn to turn over on their own, and the risk is lower.
Being in an environment with cigarette smoke increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome by four times. Keep your baby away from smokers and places where people smoke.
- Mattresses that are too soft make the baby more enveloped and air circulates poorly. Our nests have the ideal firmness for a baby; they are perfect!
- Do not overdress the baby. It is very common for babies to be too warm rather than too cold because the fear of them getting cold leads us to dress them, sometimes excessively. If we cover them too much, they can start breathing more deeply, get exhausted, and suffer from heatstroke. You should make sure the baby is not too hot, keeping the room where they sleep at a comfortable temperature. And if you are worried about your baby getting cold, you can use bedding specially designed to keep them warm without the risk of covering their heads. Generally, it is ideal for the baby to wear one more layer of clothing than us (which is usually a bodysuit, that would be enough). It is especially important to control the baby's temperature when they have a fever; in that case, always with minimal clothing.
- Additionally, it is recommended to use sleeping bags: they are the perfect complement to keep them warm inside the nest, and this way, you ensure that the bedding does not end up on their face.
- The pacifier is a protective factor that helps reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. It is recommended to use it once breastfeeding is well established.
- CO2 concentration: in the first few months, babies don't move around too much while sleeping, and this sometimes leads to CO2 concentrations in the area where they breathe. This primarily happens when bedding materials are not breathable and prevent proper air circulation. That's why it's always, always important to use highly breathable materials like organic cotton and avoid using bumper pads.
How to prevent sudden infant death syndrome?
As you've read so far, there are a number of factors that have been shown to be involved in increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. So what can we do? It's about offering your children a safe environment that promotes their rest and minimizes risk factors.
So, put your baby to sleep on their back and on a firm mattress, to prevent them from putting their head where it shouldn't be, and don't over-bundle them. Avoid smoking and smoky environments during and after pregnancy.
And don't obsess! I was a first-time mother too, and I woke up frequently to check if my baby was breathing. We don't have to live in fear, but we do need to try to provide a safe place for our baby.
On the other hand, if you're co-sleeping, you know we always recommend our nest beds. This way, the baby will have their own space, and you'll sleep more peacefully too. This will prevent a pillow or sheet from falling on the baby's head. Often, the exhaustion of the first few months leads us to sleep very deeply, and putting the baby in bed with us without protection is genuinely dangerous. Furthermore, we always emphasize that it's very important for nests to be made of breathable materials, like ours, as they allow for proper air circulation, preventing CO2 concentration.
At Petite Marmotte, we care about improving your baby's rest, so they grow up healthy while sleeping and are protected from syndromes like sudden infant death syndrome. In our nests (mattress included in the base), the baby feels secure because they mimic the mother's womb, because their organic cotton cover respects their delicate skin, and because their certified materials are exclusively designed for their safety and rest.
What do experts say to prevent sudden infant death syndrome?
If you're co-sleeping, it's advisable to use a nest crib made of breathable materials where the baby has their own space.
Rebecca Ordovas, pediatrician.
We are mothers; we know your fears, and we could only offer you quality products that guarantee a restful and safe sleep so that you only have to worry about enjoying your baby :)
