SIDS: Dr. Chinonso Egemba Identifies Ways A Baby Can Die Suddenly + How To Reduce The Risk
About 3,500 babies die each year in the United States during sleep because of unsafe sleep environments. Some of these deaths are caused by entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation.
Parents who know about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or crib death may think of it as their worst nightmare. It’s when a baby 12 months or younger dies during sleep with no warning signs or a clear reason.
Although there is no 100% way to prevent SIDS, there is a lot you can do to lower your baby’s risk.
A Nigerian medical practitioner, Dr. Chinonso Egemba took to Twitter to shed more light on the situation. The doctor listed the various ways a baby can die suddenly and the precautionary measures to be taken to prevent such deaths.
Read below…
“A baby can suddenly die, this is known as sudden infant death syndrome. Don’t use pillows, blankets, duvets etc in your baby’s sleep area, and keep all those items away from your baby’s face. They should also not sleep on adult mattresses or sofas, only in their cribs RT
DON’T place babies on their stomachs to sleep Put them on their backs to sleep, this helps reduce the chances of Sudden infant death syndrome Babies can be placed on their stomach when they are awake and playing and somebody is watching them.
A baby lying on its stomach to sleep may choke! Especially when there are extra pieces of clothing that could get into their airway during sleep. So the cot should be free! The bedding on the cot should be fitted to the bed and not easily ruffled. This part is important.
The stomach position is the position with the highest RISK of babies dying suddenly Also the side position is not a safe alternative because its unstable and babies can easily roll onto their stomachs.”
