| SIDS is the leading cause of death among | | | | nothing in the |
| infants who are one month to one year old. | | | | |
| Despite years of research and studies, SIDS | | | | bed but the baby -- no quilts, comforters, |
| is still unpredictableand largely | | | | blankets, pillows, bumper pads or toys.What |
| unpreventable. However, research into the | | | | is a Sleep Sack? |
| causes of SIDS has led doctors to recommend | | | | |
| steps parents can take to reduce the risk of | | | | The sleep sack is a wearable blanket that |
| SIDS. In a typical situation parents check on | | | | replaces loose blankets and top sheets in the |
| their sleeping baby to find him or | | | | crib for a safer sleep. It also encourages |
| | | | baby to sleep on its back. It is a well-known |
| her dead. It goes without saying that this | | | | fact that babies should be put to sleep on |
| is possibly the worse tragedy parents can | | | | their backs, but not so well known are the |
| face and it can impact their lives | | | | potential dangers of loose bedding going over |
| forever.According to the National Institute | | | | baby's head and overheating by using too much |
| of Child Health and Human Development | | | | bedding. |
| (NICHD), the incidence of SIDS is greatest in | | | | |
| infants younger than 6 months of age and | | | | The sleep sack will keep baby's head |
| increases during cold weather. Potential risk | | | | uncovered, therefore reducing the risk of |
| factors include:~ smoking, drinking, or drug | | | | suffocation. With no loose covers in the bed, |
| use during pregnancy~ poor prenatal care~ | | | | the risk for SIDS is reduced.Baby sleep sacks |
| premature birth or low birth-weight~ mothers | | | | have been safely used in Europe for over 20 |
| younger than 20~ smoke exposure following | | | | years. Clinical studies in Holland have |
| birth~ baby sleeping on their | | | | concluded that baby sleep sacks are |
| stomachUnfortunately, all SIDS deaths are not | | | | potentially the safest form of bedding for |
| preventable. However, there are things that | | | | babies, provided that baby is placed in the |
| can be done to reduce the risk of SIDS. | | | | correct size sack and is wearing suitable |
| Thankfully the number of deaths from SIDS is | | | | sleepwear. Therefore, baby can sleep safely |
| dropping as parents follow these | | | | at a pleasant and constant temperature |
| recommendations.Perhaps the most widely | | | | throughout the night.What should baby wear |
| recognized recommendation is that infants | | | | underneath the Sleep Sack? |
| sleep on their backs. Infants who sleep on | | | | |
| their stomachs and sides have a higher rate | | | | This will depend on the type of Sleep Sack |
| of SIDS than infants who sleep on their | | | | (flannel or quilted) and the temperature of |
| backs. Heavy covers are also associated with | | | | baby's bedroom. |
| the risk for SIDS. Therefore, there should be | | | | |