Blog
Families struggling with sudden infant death syndrome receive help from local support groups
Oct
Local support groups help families who are struggling with emergencies baby death syndrome (SIDS) due to the unique challenges they face.
In a statement, Texas Tech physician Dr. Ana Montanez said one child lost for any reason is still “one too many.” The doctor said SIDS might be difficult for them to work through as a family.
Sudden infant death syndrome
Montanez added that historically, SIDS was considered a syndrome associated with babies dying unexpectedly in their sleep or dying unknowingly without symptoms, simply dying in their sleep. This was expanded to include infants under one year of age who died unexpectedly from causes that could not be medically explained.
The doctor said there is no exact way to prevent SIDS, but noted that steps can be taken to reduce the risk. It has been found that one of the most important factors to consider is the baby’s sleeping position CBD.
Montanez said the first thing parents or caregivers should do is put babies to sleep on their backs. She added that babies can be placed on their tummies after waking up without any negative impact on their health.
Another important factor to consider is that babies need a safe sleeping environment. Montanez noted that from a newborn’s perspective, the whole world is new and everything he or she goes through is a new sensory experience. It is important that the room is dark and quiet and the temperature is appropriate when they go to sleep.
Other factors to consider include smoking, which should be avoided for newborns. Another is to allow children to sleep on their own and ensure that they do not suffocate while sleeping, Nov34 reported.
Providing the support you need
The doctor noted that since it is impossible to reduce the risk of SIDS to zero, everyone should try to support each other as best they can. This is where local support groups come in to help, including Isabel Espinosa, president of the Lubbock chapter of The Compassionate Friends.
Espinosa’s daughter died in a car accident. This event changed her way of looking at the world. She said that when tragedy struck, she broke down, noting that she needed to find a grief support unit or group that was more specialized in her loss.
The development comes after Mississippi health officials declared a public health emergency in August of this year as the infant mortality rate reached its highest level in a decade. State health officer Dr. Dan Edney said at the time that he estimated too many families were losing babies before their first birthday People.