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Pacifiers and Sudden Infant Death SyndromeUsing a Pacifier May Help Prevent SIDS
Pacifiers may help parents protect their babies as these soothing tools have been shown to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome when given to newborns for sleep.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a devastating occurrence in which healthy babies under the age of one year die in their sleep without warning. Sometimes referred to as crib death, SIDS is one of the most difficult experiences any parent can go through and the cause of death within the infant is often a mystery to doctors and parents alike. Pediatricians have found that there are ways to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and one of these preventions is allowing an infant to use a pacifier when he or she is sleeping throughout the first year of life. The use of a pacifier by an infant when sleeping may help to save his or her life and prevent him or her from being a victim of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Pacifiers Prevent Deep SleepThe American Academy of Pediatrics began recommending the use of a pacifier by infants as a method of preventing SIDS in 2005. Sucking on a pacifier during sleep may help prevent infants from slipping into too deep a sleep from which they may not wake up if their airways become blocked by bedding or other materials. This is important because a baby can easily suffocate during sleep if not easily aroused. Pacifiers May Prevent Nasal BlockagePediatric expert Dr. Alan Greene theorizes that while the doctors are not certain why babies who suck on pacifiers have lower rates of SIDS, one reason might be because the bulkiness of the pacifier itself serves as a barrier or shield that prevents bedding, blankets or other items from being able to block the nose. The actual structure of the pacifier may prevent suffocation. Pacifiers May Prevent Babies from Rolling Onto StomachA commonly know recommendation by pediatricians to prevent SIDS is putting a baby on his or her back to sleep. This helps prevent suffocation due to a babies mouth or nose being covered. One theory in regards to why pacifiers help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the use of a pacifier helps prevent a baby from rolling over from back to stomach because the pacifier might fall out of his or her mouth making him or her unhappy. Pacifiers Can Even Be Used by Breastfed BabiesThe American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that there is not significant research showing that the use of pacifiers interferes with breastfeeding like the use of bottle nipples might. There is some concern on the part of parents and some lactation consultants about this. It is recommended that parents of nursing babies who are uncomfortable with offering their child a pacifier shortly after birth delay pacifier introduction until the child is no older than one month. The risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is lowest within the first month of life and increases after that period of time. No parent wants to lose her baby to death, especially one that often goes unexplained and seems to happen for no reason. The use of a pacifier in infancy can help prevent parents from a tragic loss and keep more babies alive. Giving a baby a pacifier to sleep as a newborn and throughout the first year is a simple and helpful way to keep him or her safe and healthy during the SIDS risk period.
The copyright of the article Pacifiers and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Infant & Toddler Health is owned by Julie King. Permission to republish Pacifiers and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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