This is one of the most common causes of death among young children who are less than a year old. Its scary! This mostly happens when babies go to sleep. They might go to bed when in perfect health but simply fail to wake up.

This is one of the topics that new parents should study on so as to avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The causes may vary from  brain defects in a baby to poor sleep hygiene from the parents. I will share with you a few causes, that will be of great help.

a) Sleeping on the side or stomach. Babies should be put to bed on their backs. The other positions make it difficult for them to breath when sleeping. Each time you place your baby in their crib, remember to put them on their back.

b) Having a soft surface to sleep on. Lying down on a fluffy mattress or comforter could easily block their airway, especially if they are sleeping on their faces. Ensure that their sleeping surfaces are firm.

c) The risk of SIDS increases when a child sleeps with someone else or a pet in the same bed. This is possible if the older person sleeping them covers them too much, interrupting their breathing. Its better if a child sleeps in their parents’  room but in their own crib.

d) Too much heat in their room. Overhearing a room idiopathically increases the risk of a child dying from SIDS.

e) Smoking in a family. A child who lives with smokers has a huge risk of dying from SIDS. Secondhand smoke is very dangerous to a child.

f) Use of drugs and alcohol. Parents who abuse drugs do not take care of their children properly. They might get inebriated and have their child suffocate in the room, or in their covers.

I hope that you find this eye opening! Kindly share it with a friend and let me know what you think at the comment section.

Lots of Love,

Ruguru Kimani.