Caring for a newborn baby is as beautiful as it is challenging. Especially during the first months of life. And although we would like to talk only about beautiful things, our main goal is to inform you about ways to make your and your baby’s life as easy and beautiful as possible.

So in this article we are going to talk about SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

We have occasionally heard stories about new moms getting up in the morning only to discover their lifeless babies in their bed. A shocking moment that is very difficult to cope with by any parent. In some of these cases, the autopsy often makes it impossible to reach a clear conclusion as to what is the cause of death. Doctors may be able to determine that there was a problem with breathing during the night but they may be unable to determine exactly what caused the shortness of breath or respiratory blockage.

Thankfully there are some tips you can follow in order to drastically reduce the chance of this happening to your baby.

  1. Always make sure it is sleeping on its back. You can turn it aside during the day only when it is under your supervision
  2. Use a firm, non-soft mattress. A soft mattress can cause the baby’s head to sink at night if it is tilted slightly to the side and can block the airways.
  3. Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or consume drugs near your child
  4. Keep the baby sleeping near you but not in your bed. It is very easy for new moms to make this mistake. They are tired, recovering from birth, sleep-deprived and often they fall asleep with their babies in their arms. Another person should always be checking them to avoid this mistake.
  5. Breastfeed your baby as long as you can
    Breastfeeding your baby can reduce your risk of SIDS by up to 50%, although experts are not sure why. Some think that breast milk can protect babies from infections that increase the risk of SIDS.
  6. Immunize or vaccinate your baby
    Infants who are immunized according to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics have a 50% reduced risk of SIDS compared to infants who are not fully immunized.
  7. Be careful with clothing, excessive coverage, and heat. Babies do not feel colder than adults. Wear your baby as thick as yourself. Also, if you are not sure, it is better to often check the temperature.
  8. Never give honey to a baby under the age of on
    Honey can cause poisoning in small babies. Poisoning and bacteria are listed as the main causes of SIDS.
  9. Make sure your baby does his tummy-time regularly during the day when he is awake or under someone’s watch. The more the abdominal muscles develop, the better the baby is taught to maneuver in case breathing is blocked during the night.
  10. The bed where your baby sleeps should be absolutely empty. Remove toys, blankets, pillows, everything. They can be a cause of breath blockage. And they are so tiny and immature that they don’t know how to push away a sheet, a muslin or a toy.

Two sleeping products that come very handy to prevent SIDS are:

  1. Baby bedside cribs. You should not fall asleep while breastfeeding with your baby in your arms. These types of cribs are so practical.
  2. And baby sleep bag. They are the safest you can put your baby to sleep in.

Take care of yourself and your baby.