Thursday, October 28, 2010

October is SIDS Awareness month and experts want new parents to know the ABCs of safe sleep.

Alone. The baby should always sleep alone.
Back. The baby should always sleep on his back.
Crib. The baby should always sleep in the crib.

The SIDS Network of Kansas reports that in 2008, 50 infants died of SIDS in the state of Kansas.

"Laying the baby on his tummy can raise the chances for SIDS by 18 times in the first year of life," said Christy Schunn, Executive Director of the SIDS Network.

Some parents may wonder what to do if their baby is strong enough to roll on his stomach.

"When your baby can get on their stomach, the idea at that point is to make sure everything is out of the crib," Schunn said.

She also says parents should not use positions or pillows to keep the baby from rolling over, as these too can become a hazard to your baby's breathing.

Knowing the risks and following the ABCs of safe sleep can help you and your child breathe a little easier.