Las Vegas Urban League WIC Urges Parents to Be Aware Of Sudden Infant Death Awareness Month

LAS VEGAS - Oct. 3, 2022 - PRLog -- About 3,400 babies die unexpectedly each year in the United States. This is why it's so important that parents remain both vigilant and educated in the causes and preventative measures that can be taken to ensure their newly born child doesn't die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also known as Crib Death, is described as the unexplained death of a seemingly healthy baby less than 1 year old. Death usually occurs during sleep.

"A combination of physical and sleep-environment factors can make a baby more vulnerable to SIDS," Semaj Bruce, Breastfeeding Program Coordinator at the Las Vegas Urban League Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, said. "Creating a safe sleep environment can reduce the risk of SIDS considerably."

Making sure your baby sleeps on his or her back, rather than the stomach or side, ensures the child won't experience breathing difficulties during sleep. A soft fluffy comforter or mattress can block your infant's airway and should never be used.

Your baby should sleep in its own crib, ideally in the same room as the parents, but not in the same bed with parents because you may rollover on the baby, or crowd the child and block its breathing.

"It's important to keep the crib as bare as possible," Bruce explained. "The mattress should be firm with no fluffy padding and no stuffed animals surrounding the baby. Don't overheat your baby with blankets, and never cover your baby's head."

"It's also important for an expectant mother to recognize certain risk factors during pregnancy," Bruce said. "A baby's risks go up if a mother is younger that 20 years of age, smokes and uses drugs or alcohol. And be especially vigilant if your baby is born premature or has respiratory infections."

"Breastfeed your baby if possible," Bruce added. "Breast feeding for the first six months lowers the risk of SIDS. A new mother should visit her healthcare provider for regular checkups and make sure your baby receives important shots to prevent disease."

For more information, visit the Las Vegas Urban League WIC at https://www.wiclv.org or its two convenient locations: 6480 W. Flamingo Road, Suite B, Las Vegas, phone (702) 227-1573 or 3320 E. Flamingo Road, Suite 50, Las Vegas, phone (702) 476-9561.

The Las Vegas Urban League Women, Infants and Children Program is a 501c (3) program that is funded by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health.