The topic from the list that I decided to research and wanted to learn more about is Sudden Infant Death Sydrome (SIDS). Based on my daily interactions with infants who have been more affected by the SIDS epidemic, I am left with many questions that mostly deal with the studies involving SIDS occurrences and suggestions to minimize the risks. During these interactions, sometimes I question if sleeping on their back is the best position for them in certain instances. For example, many of the babies in my class have had cold-like symptoms this year and have been so congested, so sleeping on their backs seems to be uncomfortable for them. As a result, they do not sleep very long or appear to sleep well. Also, some of the babies will flip back over on their tummies when placed on their backs. Nevertheless, because I know that there have been more documented cases of SIDS from infants placed on their tummies, but I continue to place the babies on their backs.
But, I am curious to know about the studies of SIDS, as well as SIDS occurences in other parts of the world. However, I needed to know the incidence of SIDS in the United States. Although, the rate of SIDS deaths are declining which is grest news! Unfotunately, there are still about 2500 deaths reported each year in the United States that are SIDS related (American SIDS Institute, 2009). In addition, there is a higher rate of SIDS for infants who are positioned to sleep on their sides and tummies. In specific, the incidence of SIDS for infants that sleep on their backs is 12.9 times more likely (American SIDS Institute, 2009). In contrast, in Queenlands, Australia, where the highest rate of SIDS occurrences have been reported in Australia, it has been stated that 30% of infants are not placed on their backs while sleeping (Mitchell, 2011p. 34). Nevertheless, the incidence of SIDS in developing countries is a rare event. SIDS related deaths account for less than 1 in 2000 live births (ISPID, 2012). I thought that was interesting!
Based on the information I have learned, I will continue to place the infants in my classroom on their backs because this position is the safest for infants based on research. In addition, although we don't place anything in their cribs such as covers or pillows. I noticed that there was also references to positioning devices and how they should not be placed in cribs (American SIDS Institute, 2009). However, previously, I wondered about how they might aid in helping a child with severe congestion and other cold like symptoms sleep better. Well, that answers my question!
American SIDS Institute. (2009).Reducing The Risks.
Retrieved from: http://sids.org/nprevent.htm.
International Society for the Study and Prevention of Perinatal and Infant Death (ISPID). (2012). What is SIDS? Retrieved from: http://www.ispid.org/infantdeath.html.
Mitchell, I. (2011). Sudden Infant Death: A global problem, local action. P.34 Retrieved from:http://www.sidscanada.org/professionalsresearch.html.
2500 deaths a year is a very high amount! I hope that another thing like sleeping on the back is discovered that will also prevent all these deaths! I was also interested to hear that there is a lower percentage of deaths from SIDS in developing countries. If all cultures trade their parenting secrets, we may end up with even better child raising ideas!
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