OCTOBER 26 • 2023 | 41
J
N

SIDS deaths occur between 
midnight and 6 a.m.
Ironically, while sleeping in 
the same room often results 
in less sleep for both parents 
and babies, the ability for 
babies to wake easily can fur-
ther reduce risk.
In addition, research 
shows that breastfeeding 
can decrease SIDS risk by 
as much as 50%. While the 
reasons aren’t entirely clear, 
babies who are breastfed or 
fed expressed breast milk 
have a lower risk than babies 
never fed breast milk.
Yet one of the most surpris-
ing benefits that new studies 
are discovering stems from 
pacifier use after breastfeed-
ing, which further reduces 
SIDS risk.
Maintaining a cool sleep 
environment and preventing 
babies from overheating (such 
as by dressing them in the 
appropriate amount of layers) 
significantly drops SIDS risk. 
A safe rule of thumb is to 
dress an infant in one more 
layer than you would be com-
fortable in.
Gendelman says babies also 
shouldn’t be swaddled after 
they begin rolling over, which 
generally occurs between 
two-to-three months of age. If 
swaddled, they may roll over 
and be unable to roll over 
again onto their back, which 
can cause SIDS.

SIDS RISKS
While SIDS can occur at any 
time during the first year of a 
baby’s life, most SIDS deaths 
occur in babies who are 
between one and four months 
of age.
Co-sleeping can greatly 
increase SIDS risk, as can 
smoking or using drugs or 
alcohol (both in the mother 
and father). While genetic 
factors don’t play a major 
role in SIDS risk, Gendelman 
says a prior history of SIDS 
in the family may lead to an 
increased risk. Premature birth 
can also lead to a higher risk 
level.
Although SIDS risk still 
exists, Gendelman, a lifelong 
Temple Israel member and 
Tamarack Camps supporter, 
says the U.S. has come a long 
way in reducing SIDS deaths 
since the initial 1994 “Back 
to Sleep” campaign — and 
there’s only more progress to 
be made.
Sudden Infant Death 
Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness 
Month is a great time to 
review sleep guidelines, but it’s 
even more important to brush 
up on guidelines year-round, 
as more and more research 
discovers new SIDS preven-
tion strategies. 

For more information on SIDS and 

safe sleep practices, visit www.cdc.

gov/sids/index.htm.

DANIEL SHERBERT, M.D. F.A.C.S.
Certifi
 ed by The American Board of Surgery, 
The American Board of Plastic Surgery & Fellowship 
Trained in Aesthetic & Reconstructive Breast Surgery

Specializing in Cosmetic Surgery &

Aesthetic & Reconstructive Breast Surgery

W est Maple
Plastic Surgery

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