Children’s health: Keep your newborns SIDS-safe this summer

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death in babies between one month and one year old in the United States. SIDS is often unexpected and happens while a child is sleeping. It is also referred to as “crib death.”

This condition can be of heightened concern for parents during summer months because of higher risk of overheating and heat stress to infants. Temperatures play an important role in SIDS, especially for infants who may already be at a higher health risk. According to the National Institutes of Health, a 10°F higher daily temperature is associated with an increased SIDS risk of 8.6% during summer months.

To reduce the risk of SIDS, it’s recommended that infants have a safe sleeping environment, with the baby sleeping on their back on a flat, firm surface away from toys.

There are several recommended strategies to reduce the likelihood of SIDS, including:

● Avoid smoking during pregnancy and around your baby after birth

● Consider using a pacifier during sleep after about one month

● Keep your baby’s vaccinations up to date

● Attend regular check-ups with a pediatrician

● Avoid sleeping in the same bed as your baby

The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends parents/guardians keep soft objects, like pillows and thick blankets, away from an infant’s sleep area to reduce the risk of SIDS, and also limit the possibility of suffocation or strangulation. If you are concerned about your infant becoming cold, it is recommended that you dress the infant with layers of clothing rather than using other coverings, especially during the summer months.

“As a pediatric critical care physician, I’ve seen firsthand how small lapses in safe sleep practices — like placing a baby on a soft surface ‘just this once’ — can have devastating consequences,” said Ascension Saint Alexius pediatrician Angelica Ostrowski.

“With so many families on the go during the summer months, it can be tempting to make exceptions. It’s vital that every sleep, whether nap or nighttime, at home or away, follows the same safe sleep principles: on the back, in a crib or bassinet, and without soft bedding.”

As a Gold Level Safe Sleep Certified Hospital, Ascension Saint Alexius Women’s and Children’s Hospital promotes safe sleep policies hospital wide, provides safe sleep training to staff caring for infants, identifies at-risk families and ensures they receive safe sleep materials before discharge, and the hospital takes part in community outreach initiatives to educate the area on infant safe sleep.

In addition to SIDS-specific safety precautions, it’s crucial that all children take the right safeguards against prolonged or intense exposure to hot temperatures this summer. Higher temperatures can cause heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat stroke and sometimes even death.

The best way to avoid heat illness is through prevention with these tips:

● Stay in air conditioning

● Avoid the outdoors during the hottest parts of the day

● Beware of hot cars

● Stay hydrated

● Stay informed about your local weather

• Children's health is a continuing series. This column was provided by Ascension Illinois.