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Cot Death
All you need to know about cot death & how to keep your baby safe
By Christina Ching and Martine Gallie
Before you worry yourself sick, know that while it’s the major cause of infant death between the ages of 2 weeks and 12 months, it’s rare - only less than two in 1,000 babies die of SIDS.
A recent study found that 75 per cent of babies who died suddenly in the daytime were sleeping in a room on their own. For daytime naps, always keep your baby nearby while you go about your daily chores.
Overheating increases the risk of cot death so, to keep him safe, ensure the temperature in the room he sleeps in stays around 26 deg C. You’ll also need to check your baby regularly to see if he’s too hot or cold. Loosen his clothes and feel his tummy - it should feel warm, but not hot or clammy.
Also, look to see if he is sweating.
A recent study by Canadian scientists found that very young babies (under 1 month) were more likely to die of cot death when sleeping in a sitting position rather than lying flat.
“A baby co-sleeping with a parent or parents who smoke is about 40 times more likely to die.” |
Do you sometimes feel the need to check that your baby’s breathing when he’s asleep, or keep a close watch when he’s left alone? Since the beginning of time, mums the world over have been fearful that their babies might die suddenly in the middle of the night - long before such deaths were given a name: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), or cot death.
Before you worry yourself sick, know that while SIDS is a major cause of infant death between the ages of 2 weeks and 12 months, it is rare - fewer than two in 1,000 babies die from this condition. The risk is even lower if your baby is healthy and thriving. To enable you to have a good night’s sleep, Mother & Baby brings you up to date on recent SIDS studies and offers top tips to keep your baby safe.
1. It’s important to follow safe-sleeping guidelines during the day as well as at night. That includes keeping your baby in the same room as you while he sleeps, placing him on his back to sleep, and making sure his head isn’t covered by a blanket or pillow.
This new advice follows a recent study which found that 75 per cent of babies who died suddenly in the daytime were sleeping in a room on their own.
The study also found that babies who died during the day were more likely to have been placed on their side, and to have had their head covered.
“This study clearly shows the advice needs to be followed day and night,” says Joyce Epstein, director of the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) in the UK. “For daytime naps, we suggest that you always keep your baby nearby in a fully-reclinable infant seat or playpen while you go about your daily chores.”
2. Settling your baby to sleep with a pacifier can reduce his risk of cot death. Scientists in the US have discovered that giving your baby a pacifier every time he goes to sleep can cut his risk of cot death by half. “If you’re breastfeeding, don’t introduce a pacifier until your baby is at least a month old, to ensure breastfeeding is well established,” advises Professor George Haycock, scientific advisor to the FSID. “Don’t worry if the pacifier falls out while your baby is asleep, never force your baby to take one if he doesn’t want it, and never coat it in anything sweet.”
3. Cots, bedding and mattresses are parents’ main worry when it comes to avoiding cot death. A recent UK study found that 20 per cent of parents had worries over baby sleeping equipment. Your baby should sleep on a firm, flat mattress that fits his cot or playpen well. The mattress should have a wipe-clean waterproof covering – mattresses with “ventilation holes” aren’t recommended as they are difficult to clean. If it’s cold, cover your baby with a light blanket. You can also use a baby sleeping bag, but make sure it’s lightweight and fits well around the neck so your baby can’t slip down inside. Quilts and pillows should be avoided until your baby is over 1.
TOP TIP!
Put your baby on his back, with his feet at the end of the cot, so he can’t slip under the covers. |
4. The jury’s still out on whether or not bed-sharing increases your baby’s risk of cot death. What is known is that sleeping with your baby significantly increases his risk if you or your husband’s a smoker, or if either of you have been drinking. Sleeping with your baby on a sofa or armchair is also risky. “We recommend that babies sleep in a cot in their parents’ room for the first six months,” Prof Haycock says. “Taking your baby into bed for a cuddle or a feed, then putting him back in his cot afterwards, carries no risk whatsoever.”
5. Overheating increases the risk of cot death so, to keep him safe, ensure that the temperature in the room he sleeps in stays around 26 deg C. M&B expert Dr Low Kah Tzay, a consultant paediatrician and child development specialist at Anson International Paediatric & Child Development Clinic, advises dressing your baby in light cotton clothing if the temperature is 28 to 30 deg C, with the fan on. In an air-conditioned room that is 25 to 26 deg C, swaddle him in a linen cloth and add a cotton blanket.
You’ll also need to check your baby regularly to see if he’s too hot or cold. Loosen his clothes and feel his tummy - it should feel warm, but not hot or clammy. His hands and feet may be colder than the rest of his body, so feeling them won’t give a true indication. Also, look to see if he is sweating. If he’s too hot, remove a layer of clothing or a blanket, and remember ? babies who are not well need fewer layers, not more!
6. The number of babies who have flattened heads has increased in recent years. Experts agree that it’s probably because more babies are settled to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of cot death. Known as plagiocephaly, such flattened heads are perfectly harmless, although they can look a little unsightly. “A little bit of asymmetry is normal,” Prof Haycock notes. “It’s purely a cosmetic issue and won’t cause any problems with the development of your baby’s brain.” Your baby’s head should become rounded again once he starts to roll and spend more time on his front, but do see your doctor if you’re concerned.
7. Although baby car seats are vital for car journeys, they shouldn’t be used for naps at home, particularly for tiny babies. This is because research has shown that babies who are left to sleep in car seats for long periods can suffer a drop in oxygen levels. Another recent study by Canadian scientists found that very young babies (under 1 month) were more likely to die of cot death when sleeping in a sitting position rather than lying flat.
“If your baby has been sleeping in the car and is just about to wake, leave him,” Prof Haycock suggests. “But if he falls asleep just before you get home, transfer him to a fully reclinable infant seat, cot or playpen when you get in.”
8 . Smoking may be banned in public places now, but don’t be tempted to puff away at home instead. “A baby exposed to cigarette smoke for an hour a day has roughly double the risk of cot death,” Prof Hancock points out. “The combination of bed-sharing and smoking is very risky indeed ? a baby who co-sleeps with a parent or who has parents who smoke is about 40 times more likely to die.”
CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Points to take note of when you report your baby’s breathing difficulties to the doctor.
If your baby experiences a very brief breathing lapse (under 20 seconds), it is probably normal. However, if the bout is longer, or if he turns pale, blue or limp, and has a very slow heartbeat following the short breathing break, get him medical attention right away. If you need to revive your little one, call your doctor immediately. If you can’t revive him by gently shaking him, try CPR and dial for an ambulance. Pay attention to the following when describing the details to the doctor:
• Did the breathing lapse occur when your baby was asleep or awake?
• Was your infant sleeping, feeding, crying, spitting, gagging or coughing when it happened?
• Did your child experience any colour change ? was he pale, blue or red in the face?
• Were there any changes in your little one’s crying (higher pitch, for example)?
• Did your baby seem limp or stiff, or was he moving normally?
• Does your child often breathe noisily, or does he snore?
• Did your infant need resuscitation? How did you revive him, and how long did it take? |
If you have any comments or practical suggestions, write to us at editor@family.sg
- Mother & Baby
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