Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is the sudden and unexplained death of infants in their sleep. Its causes are unknown, but there are some known ways to prevent it. However, you should worry about misinformation. Some of the believed ways, like swaddling, may actually be increasing the risks instead. Here, we will demystify that. Does swaddling prevent SIDS? Continue reading to learn the truth.
What Is SIDS?
SIDS refer to the sudden death of a baby. The real explanation on why it happens has not been found yet, so it is one of parents' biggest worries. Even scarier, it can happen even if your baby appears to be healthy.
Not everything about SIDS is a mystery, though. There are similarities in cases that give us some information. For example, most SIDS deaths happen while the baby is sleeping. That is why they are also called "crib death" or "cot death."
That gives us some information on one way to prevent it: creating a safer sleep environment for your baby.
Does Swaddling Prevent SIDS?
No. Swaddling, the act of wrapping your baby snuggly with a thin blanket, does not prevent SIDS.
One of swaddling’s benefits is decreased arousal. It ensures that your baby will not wake up easily. With that, they can enjoy uninterrupted sleep. The problem is that there are also risks associated with it. Decreased arousal could result in your baby never waking up again.
So, you might say that the correct question is, "Does swaddling cause SIDS?" The answer is yes. Several studies have explored this topic and found some evidence that swaddling can increase the risk of SIDS. They recommend discontinuing swaddling as soon as you recognize your baby’s earliest attempts of rolling.
But please note that swaddling is not inherently bad. What is really dangerous is putting your baby on their stomach to sleep. Keep in mind that your baby could also roll onto their stomach, which could increase the risks even if you laid them on their back.
Swaddling is still safe when your baby still can't roll. Use good swaddle blankets, like the Momcozy swaddle blankets, to prevent any problems. These swaddles are soft, breathable, skin-friendly, and flexible. Thus, they are great choices for swaddling.
Once your baby learns to learn over, switch to baby pajamas. We recommend the Momcozy Newborn Sleepers. These pajamas ensure that your baby is comfortable while they are sleeping. It features a temperature label that tells you whether or not to adjust your baby's clothing thickness or the room temperature. That helps prevent overheating.
How Does Swaddling Reduce SIDS?
Unfortunately, swaddling does not help prevent SIDS.
What Safe Sleeping Practices Does the AAP Recommend to Prevent SIDS?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is the largest professional association of pediatricians in the USA. This trusted organization is known for giving researched-backed recommendations on how to grow a healthy baby.
They have given some recommendations on how to prevent SIDS, which every parent must know. These recommendations were proven to be effective. Following this set of advice has caused a decline in the rate of sleep-related deaths in infants in the 1990s.
Here, we have listed them for you:
Place Baby on Their Back to Sleep
Always put your baby to sleep on their back for every nap and nighttime sleep. This position significantly reduces the risk of SIDS.
Use a Firm Sleep Surface
Choose a crib, bassinet, or play yard with a firm mattress and cover it with a tight-fitting sheet. Avoid soft bedding like pillows, blankets, or bumper pads.
The Momcozy Muslin Fitted Crib Sheets are great for this. They have added bumper seams to prevent tearing and tight elastic bands that ensure they do not shift easily. Also, they are made with breathable, skin-friendly materials.
Room Share Without Bed Sharing
In their first year, you should not share bed with your baby. Beds for adults are not safe for your baby. There are spaces between the mattress and the bed frame or the wall. Your baby could be trapped in these spaces and suffocate. So instead, give your baby their own sleeping area. Keep it in the same room where you sleep so you can still monitor them.
To promote good sleep for everyone, you could use the Momcozy Smart Baby Sound Machine. It offers 34 meticulously crafted sounds, including white noise, nature sounds, and more. Those will envelop you and your baby in tranquility, giving you a good night's sleep.
Keep the Sleep Area Bare
Your baby’s sleeping area should be free of anything that could obstruct their breathing. Remove toys, blankets, or other soft objects in the crib.
Breastfeed If Possible
According to research, exclusively breastfed babies are at lower risk for SIDS. So, you should breastfeed, even for a short period. If possible, feed your baby with only breast milk for the first six months. Having a breast pump will be handy. It will allow you to express breastmilk, which you can give your baby later when you can’t breastfeed.
Avoid Smoking and Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke is harmful to your baby. With that said, you should not smoke around your baby. You should also tell anyone that visits your home to stay away from your baby when they are smoking.
How To Prevent SIDS?
On top of the tips we have shared above, here are more ways to prevent SIDS:
Avoid Overheating
Choose to dress your baby in light, breathable clothing instead of thick clothing. Likewise, you should avoid heavy blankets. On top of that, keep the room temperature at a comfortable level. These practices help prevent overheating. Furthermore, create a cool, well-ventilated environment to help regulate your baby's body temperature and promote safer sleep.
Offer a Pacifier
Sucking on a pacifier may promote safer sleep by keeping the airway open. That said, try offering a pacifier to your baby during bedtime. However, don’t force it if your baby refuses to take it. Forcing it will only frustrate them.
When Is SIDS No Longer a Risk?
The risk of SIDS is lower after 8 months of infancy. According to data, 72% of SIDS deaths have occurred when the baby is 1 - 4 months old. Then, 90% occurred before 6 months. After 8 months, SIDS becomes less common. Always follow the AAP recommendations to ensure your baby is safe while they are sleeping even after they passed that point.
FAQs About Swaddling and SIDS
Here are some FAQS about the relationship between SIDS and swaddling:
What Week Is the Highest for SIDS?
There isn’t a specific week when most SIDS cases occur. However, research shows that the majority happen between 2 to 4 months of age, roughly weeks 5 to 16. The risk remains higher during this period and begins to decrease only after 8 months, or around week 32.
Can a Baby be Swaddled Too Much?
Yes. A baby can be swaddled too much. When swaddling, remember not to make it too tight on your baby's chest, legs, and hips. It can restrict your baby’s breathing and natural movements, which can lead to discomfort or worse, health issues.
When To Stop Swaddling Your Newborn?
It is advised that you stop swaddling once your baby shows signs of rolling over. As mentioned above, a baby lying on their front or chest while swaddled is more susceptible to SIDS than those sleeping on their backs. This is around 2 - 4 months.
Conclusion
Does swaddling help prevent SIDS, or does swaddling increase SIDS risks? The latter is correct. Once your baby learns to roll, swaddling becomes dangerous. They may roll onto their stomach while sleeping and suffocate. Because they are wrapped in a blanket, they may not be able to push themselves back into a safer position. Therefore, you should stop swaddling your baby once they have learned how to roll.
