In my day-to-day work, I often meet pregnant women and new parents who are very worried about so-called "sudden infant death syndrome". Their fear is fuelled by the terrible idea that the baby was born healthy and alert - and then suddenly stops breathing unexpectedly in its sleep and dies. "What can we do to prevent this?" I often hear this question. Unfortunately, the danger cannot be averted one hundred per cent. But parents can actually do a lot to minimise the risk.
Before I go into more detail about sudden infant death syndrome, I would like to say to all concerned parents: according to the Federal Statistical Office, "only" 119 babies in the whole of Germany suffered this fate in 2018. Of course, every single case is horrific for the family concerned. And yet I deliberately write here that it was "only" 119 children - because around 30 years ago (1990) there were a good ten times as many, namely 1,283 cases. Sudden infant death syndrome has therefore decreased enormously. Intensive research into the possible causes has given parents the opportunity to minimise the known risks.
What does sudden infant death syndrome mean?
Sudden infant death syndrome is also known as SIDS. This abbreviation stands for the English term Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This diagnosis of "SIDS" is ultimately a so-called diagnosis of exclusion. This means that a lively baby has simply stopped breathing during sleep without any recognisable reason. And even before that, there was nothing to suggest that something might be wrong. So no specific cause of death can be determined, all possibilities have been ruled out. In this case, we speak of sudden infant death syndrome. It can occur in the first year of a child's life, particularly in babies aged between two and five months.
Ultimately, science has not yet been able to determine the exact causes. However, they have identified certain factors that increase or, on the contrary, reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. For example, the deceased children were often found in a prone position and many were also covered in sweat. The immediate environment in which they lived, e.g. their cot and the quality of the air in the room, was therefore also analysed more closely.
What can parents do to prevent it?
It is now certain that parents can at least exert an influence or take preventive measures against sudden infant death syndrome. Here are the most important points:
Breastfeeding strengthens the child: Breastfeeding a baby has been proven to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. This has been proven by various studies. A survey from the United States, for example, comes to the conclusion that the risk of SIDS is reduced by almost halvedif the child is breastfed for at least two months. As babies are at risk of sudden infant death syndrome in the first year of life, exclusive breastfeeding - at least until the age of six months - and continued breastfeeding during the introduction of complementary foods - until at least the first birthday - is a good way of reducing the child's risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
The baby sleeps in the supine position: Be sure to lay your baby on its back in the cot. It can breathe much better in this sleeping position than on its stomach. This is a very important point.
Another argument in favour of this is that it used to be believed that the prone position was safer for the child so that it would not suffocate if it vomited. Today, we know for certain that the risk of suffocation is no greater in the supine position than in the prone position.
Good sleeping environment for the child: Ideally, babies should sleep in close proximity to their parents. Their cot is therefore best placed in their parents' bedroom. Whether it's a "baby balcony" attached to the parents' large bed, a self-standing bed or a bassinet - the main thing is to be close to the parents. Their breathing rhythm during sleep also supports the child's regular breathing.
It is also important to ensure that nothing can hinder the child's breathing. It is also important to prevent overheating. In concrete terms, this means that only an air-permeable mattress and a sleeping bag suitable (!) for the size of the child in which the baby sleeps should be used in the cot. If you use a blanket, make sure that it is light and breathable and that it is not possible for the child to put it over its face. If possible, avoid using any other items such as pillows, cuddly toys, nests, cuddle cloths, fur and hot water bottles. This will prevent your child from getting their head under something or getting too close with their nose. Otherwise, there is a risk that the baby's breathing will be inhibited or that it will overheat.
You don't want your baby to get too warm. But it shouldn't be cold either. You will quickly find out what clothes your baby needs to maintain a comfortable body temperature.
In the first few days and weeks, your child will need a little more clothing. They will soon be able to regulate their temperature more easily. Then you will need fewer layers.
My tip: dress your child in breathable clothing. This includes cotton, for example. These materials help your baby to regulate their temperature better.
You can find even more information about safe sleep for your baby on my blog here. (Link to text "This is how your child sleeps safely")
Do not smoke around babies: If a baby smokes passively, its risk of sudden infant death syndrome increases. This is another decisive factor that science has discovered. Nicotine weakens the child's vital functions. These are the bodily functions that keep the child alive, such as breathing and the cardiovascular system. So make sure that your child's environment is absolutely smoke-free. And not just in the place where he or she sleeps, but throughout the home and, if possible, wherever your child spends time. The toxins from smoking literally seep out of the smoker's pores. This is another reason why both parents should refrain from smoking if possible.
Provide fresh air indoors: Even in the cold season! Fresh air contains more oxygen, which benefits your child. Especially during the heating period, it is important that living rooms and bedrooms are well and properly ventilated three to four times a day so that a complete exchange of air can take place in the room. This means that stale air must go out of the window and fresh air must come in. Room air enriched with oxygen also warms up more quickly during the heating period.
These methods are best suited for the effective supply of fresh air:
- Shock ventilation: Open for a few minutes all windows in the room completely instead of just setting them to "tilt". You can also turn down the thermostat on your heating system during the heating period. This way you don't waste any energy.
- Cross ventilation: Open all windows and doors wide in opposite rooms for a few minutes. The draught created in this way ensures that the air in the room is exchanged particularly quickly. The same applies here: turn down the heating thermostat.
And remember: your baby should be in another room while you are airing the room. This will protect them from draughts and prevent them from getting cold.
Fresh air on a daily walk: This strengthens your baby's immune system, boosts their circulation and metabolism and, last but not least, stimulates their breathing. Scientists even agree that babies who are regularly out in the fresh air, even in autumn and winter, sleep better. What's more, outdoor exercise is also good for you. Whether you rock your baby gently in the pram or carry them securely against your body in a sling is up to you. However, always make sure that your child is not exposed to direct sunlight.
The dummy can also help: Further studies have come to the conclusion that the dummy can also reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Why? Because the baby probably trains its upper airways by sucking and thus expands them. In addition, babies who "soother" do not sleep quite as deeply. However, if you want to offer your baby a dummy, you should wait until your breastfeeding relationship has stabilised.
As you can see, research has discovered a whole range of factors to prevent SIDS. If you take these findings to heart, you won't have to worry so much about sudden infant death syndrome.
And another thing: for some time there was a suspicion that the six-way vaccination for infants could be linked to SIDS. This was then investigated - and has not been scientifically confirmed. On the contrary. In fact, practice shows that while the vaccination rate for the six-way immunisation is constantly increasing, the number of cases of sudden infant death syndrome is falling at the same time.
If you have any questions about SIDS or are unsure about anything, you can also contact me at any time in my online counselling contact.
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