Friday, September 20, 2019 — Page 7B
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xpecting parents and parents of newborns and infants have no doubt heard of SIDS, an acronym for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, but may not fully understand it. And they’re not alone. In fact, the American SIDS Institute notes that, in an attempt to clarify the sometimes confusing terminology around SIDS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently suggested changing some of that terminology. Those suggestions included introducing the term Sudden Unexpected Infant Death, or SUID. Learning to distinguish between SUID and SIDS is a great first step for parents looking to reduce their youngsters’ risk of accidental death while sleeping.
SIDS: Reducing the Risk
What is the difference between SUID and SIDS? The CDC introduced the term SUID so it could serve as a broad term that encompasses all sudden infant deaths. SIDS falls under the umbrella of SUID, but so, too, do accidental deaths, such as suffocation and strangulation; sudden natural deaths, such as those caused by infections, disorders and neurological conditions; and homicides. The Mayo Clinic notes that SIDS is the unexplained death, typically during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby who is less than one year old.
Safe Travels
What can parents do to reduce SIDS risk? Parents are not helpless against SIDS. In fact, moms and dads can start taking steps to reduce SIDS risk before their children are even born. The American SIDS Institute offers these tips to parents in the hopes that they can reduce SIDS risk. • Don’t smoke. Exposure to cigarette smoke before or after birth raises SIDS risk. Parents and anyone else should never smoke near a baby. Using drugs such as cocaine and heroin also increases SIDS risk. • Don’t bed-share. Parents should not fall asleep with their babies in their beds or while holding their babies in a chair or sofa. Babies should always sleep separately from their parents and other children. • Place the baby in a bare crib. Babies should sleep in bare cribs with no covers, pillows, bumper pads, or positioning devices. • Follow the “Back is best” rule. When placing a baby down to sleep, always place the child on his or her back. Follow this rule at all times, even when children are fretful, in need of extra comfort or have a cold. Babies with colds are at higher risk for SIDS. • Prioritize prenatal care. A healthy full-term baby is more likely to live past infancy than a child born prematurely. • Offer a pacifier. Breastfeeding mothers can offer their babies a pacifier after the child has learned to feed. The American SIDS Institute notes that various studies have found a lower risk of sleep-related death when babies use pacifiers. Pacifiers should not be attached to the baby or crib, as doing so can present a choking hazard. • Practice tummy time. Interactive tummy time on a play mat on the floor can help babies strengthen their bodies. That strength can make it easier for them turn over onto their backs should they end up on their stomachs while sleeping. SIDS is a serious concern that parents must not take lightly. Learn more by visiting the American SIDS Institute at www.sids.org.
Follow these car seat rules for the road from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help keep kids safe.
1 to 3 Years Keeping your child in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible is the best way to keep him or her safe. Children should remain in rear-facing car seats until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer. Once children outgrow the rear-facing car seat, they should transition to a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether.
4 to 7 Years Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, keep him or her in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether until he or she reaches the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer. Once children outgrow the forward-facing car seat with harness, they should transition to a booster seat, but still must always travel in the back seat.
Dietary Danger A research study by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that 85 percent of infants and toddlers consume added sugar on a given day, many at levels that exceed the maximum recommendations for adults. Consuming foods with added sugar at a young age can set a pattern for unhealthy food choices later in life, according to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), leading to an increased risk for obesity, dental problems, fatty liver disease, diabetes and heart disease. Sweetened beverages, particularly fruit juices, are one of the biggest added sugar sources for infants and toddlers. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under 12 months should not drink fruit juice. Toddlers up to age 3 should limit fruit juice consumption to no more than four ounces per day. Other sneaky sugar sources include processed foods like granola bars, cereals and condiments. The good news? Introducing kids to natural, unprocessed foods and water from the time they begin eating solid foods can also influence food choices as they age – in a healthy way!
8 to 12 Years Your child should remain in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit properly, the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snugly across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. Remember that the back seat is the safest place for children, and they should always ride there. A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics reported that 95% of U.S. parents install infant car seats incorrectly or position their newborn incorrectly in the car seat. For more information about proper use and installation, or to find a free certified car seat inspection or installation location near you, go to seatcheck.org or safekids.org.
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