SIDS awareness highlighted this month

Email this story | Print this story

Posted: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 1:08 PM CDT

October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month. SIDS is the sudden death of an infant younger than 1 year of age that remains unexplained after medical examiners complete their investigation and rule out all other probable causes of death. SIDS remains the leading cause of death in infants 1 month to 1 year of age. Although progress has been made in reducing the number of SIDS deaths, SIDS deaths are unpredictable. SIDS can happen suddenly and silently to a seemingly health infant.

“SIDS Awareness Month is an opportunity to share information and remind people how to reduce the risk of SIDS,” said Dr. Dean Kelaita, Calaveras County health officer.

The community is advised that you can reduce the risk of SIDS by following these recommendations:

Always place the baby on his or her back to sleep for naps and at night

Place the baby to sleep on a firm sleep surface-never use pillows, sheepskins or other soft surfaces

Keep soft objects, toys and loose bedding out of the baby’s sleep area

Do not allow smoking around the baby

Do not let the baby overheat during sleep

Keep the baby’s sleep area close but separate from you and others

“Parents need this information as well as child care providers, grandparents, babysitters and everyone who cares for a baby,” Kelaita said.

Health officials warn parents and caregivers not to rely on the use of home monitors or products claiming to reduce SIDS risks.

“Encourage the use of safe sleep practices with everyone who cares for your baby,” Kelaita said. “The single most effective action that you can take is to place your baby on his or her back to sleep for naps and at night.”

For more information about SIDS and local support services, call the Public Health Department at 754-6460 or (800) 754-8889.

Comment (No comments posted.)

Comments are posted after review by the Web master. They represent the opinion of the commenting party. While we encourage them as a way to further community discussion of important public topics, we reserve the right to reject or edit them.

How do I find my comments later? Articles change daily on our Web site. Please make a note of the title of the article you have commented on. If you wish to read other people comments, once the article is taken down, do an archive search by title to locate the comments that apply to that story. We appreciate your comments and participation on our Web site.

Please refrain from attaching links that go to unrelated sites as these will not be posted.
In order to post comments you will also need to provide your full name and the city or town of your mailing address (such as "Murphys, CA.")in the boxes below.

We are requiring the same information for internet postings as letters to the editor in the Enterprise to ensure that each writer takes personal responsibility for what they say in this public forum.

The Calaveras Enterprise is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Calaveras Enterprise spokespersons.

Comments are limited to 200 words or less.