Sudden death syndrome is when the baby dies unexpectedly and inexplicably during sleep, because even after performing all the necessary tests no cause is found for his death.
In this case it is believed that the baby died while sleeping due to immaturity in the ability to wake up, and although sudden death can happen up to 1 year of age, but is more common in babies between 2 and 3 months of life.
What causes
Although its cause is not fully understood, sudden death syndrome may be related to some risk factors such as:
- Baby sleeping belly down;
- Parents being smokers and exposing baby to cigarette while still in the belly;
- Age of the mother less than 20 years;
- Baby sleeping in parents bed.
Sudden death is more common during the winter, especially in the colder regions of Brazil, such as Rio Grande do Sul, where larger numbers of cases have been reported but can also occur in the summer in the hottest locations.
It is believed that the biggest problem is when the baby has very warm clothes and blankets, which lead to overheating because this makes the baby more comfortable and tends to wake up less, and the problem is exactly this. In addition, in high temperature the baby presents more often small breath stops, a situation called infancy apnea. Learn more about this change, also known as ALTE.
How To Avoid Sudden Baby Death
The only way to avoid sudden infant death is by avoiding the above mentioned risk factors and taking care of the baby, making your crib a safe place to rest. Some strategies that may help are:
- Put the baby to sleep always on his belly up, and if he turns over during sleep, turn him back on his belly up;
- Placing the baby to sleep with a pacifier, which increases the functioning of the parasympathetic system, causing him to wake up more often even if he is not fully awake;
- Avoid placing heavy blankets or blankets that can cover the baby if he or she moves during sleep, so it is best to wear the baby in long sleeves and warm pants and use only a thin sheet to cover it. If it is very cold, cover the baby with a polar fleece but be careful not to cover the head and place the sides of the blanket tucked under the baby's mattress;
- Always place the baby in his or her crib, although it can be placed in the parents' room, this practice is not recommended if a parent is a smoker;
- Do not put your baby to sleep in the same bed as your parents, especially after consuming alcohol, taking sleeping pills or using illegal drugs;
- Position the baby with your feet against the bottom edge of the crib to prevent it from slipping under the covers.
Sudden death syndrome is not fully understood and more research must be done to understand its causes. Some possibilities indicate that the key may be the mechanism that controls breathing during sleep, and the transition from the way the baby still breathes, to the way adults breathe, which occurs between the 2nd and 4th month of life. Another possibility will be genetic changes.
At how many months can the baby sleep asleep?
The baby can only sleep tummy down after 1 year of age, which is when there is no longer risk of sudden death syndrome. Until then the baby should only sleep on his belly up, whether it is morning, afternoon or even night. This position is the safest and as the baby's head will stay on its side, it does not risk choking, but if you continue with this fear, remember to put the baby to burp whenever you put him to sleep.
The belly up position is safer and decreases the risk of sudden death but also decreases the risk of ear infections, so the baby only has to gain.
