SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a topic dear to my heart because a close family member lost her daughter almost one year ago. The little girl was only a month younger than my twin boys, so needless to say finding out about her daughter passing away made me hug my boys a lot tighter. The child was only 2 months old. She was primarily healthy but was suffering from a bit of a cold at the time. Without explaining personal aspects of the case, I am sad for the family, but some things could have been avoided to help the child. One, she was laying tummy down on her mom when she passed away. Two, both parents are avid smokers. Both aspects are known to aide in the cause of SIDS.
According to Berger (2009), there are notable differences in ethnicity in regards to SIDS. Before a worldwide campaign to refuce the risk, only 1 baby in 3,000 in Hong Kong died of SIDS, compared with 1 baby in 200 in New Zealand (Berger, 2009).
This statistic was alarming to me. However, after the campaign Back is Best began, the SIDS rate in New Zealand fell by more than 70%. Another campaign regarding wrapping the child's mattress with a special polyethelene cover to prevent the emitting of toxic fumes was also helpful in reducing SIDS.
I believe that in my working environment, I will definitely share statistics and the risks of SIDS. I am a strong advocate for putting children on their backs to sleep, as well as having the infant in the same room as the caregiver.
References
Berger, K. S. (2009). The developing person through childhood (5th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
I never knew that mattresses could emit toxic fumes! That is a disturbing thought! It is such a tragic story about your family members and their loss. Did your research say anything about the risk of any of their future children suffering from SIDS?
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