OCTOBER 26 • 2023 | 41
J
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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
(248) 865-6400
5807 W. Maple • Suite 177 • West Bloomfi
eld
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