We provide compassionate in-home care primarily for seniors, but our BrightStar caregivers are trained to provide assistance at home for clients of any age—infant to geriatric. They know the risk factors of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), which is meaningful for three reasons:
What is SIDS? How common is it? What causes it?
According to the Illinois Dept. of Public Health, SIDS is the sudden, unexpected death of an infant under one year of age that remains unexplained after a thorough investigation. In the U.S., SIDS is the number one cause of death in infants between 1 month and 1 year of age. About 2,500 deaths a year are ascribed to SIDS; that’s an unacceptable 7 infant deaths a day.
SIDS happens in families of all social, economic and ethnic groups. Misconceptions are common, but the truth is it’s not contagious, predictable or completely preventable. That’s an important thing for those who have experienced the tragedy of SIDS. As a parent, to think you could have prevented SIDS from occurring would be an unbearable thought.
The mystery of SIDS
Ironically and tragically, there’s little to point to as the scientific cause of SIDS. One theory is that an infant who initially appears to be healthy has an underlying defect in the area in the brain that controls heart and lung functions, including heart rate and breathing. Babies born with this abnormality may be more vulnerable to breathing malfunction and sudden death.
Because we don’t know the exact cause of SIDS, it is important to eliminate the risk factors that can be controlled. These factors include exposure to secondhand smoke, tummy sleeping, sharing of a bed with an infant and other unsafe sleep practices.
What you can do to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Be alert and join the national “Safe to Sleep” Campaign.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) has a ton of valuable information on SIDS, so inform yourself about the latest facts with a simple click here.
One important step forward in reducing the number of SIDS deaths by almost 50% has been the Safe to Sleep® campaign, formerly known as the Back to Sleep campaign.
This program has helped educate millions of caregivers—parents, grandparents (seniors we care for) aunts, uncles, babysitters, child care providers and others—about ways to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant death.
How BrightStar North Suburban supports SIDS awareness
As noted earlier, our job at BrightStar Care North Suburban is to serve seniors and others who want knowledgeable and compassionate care services in the comfort of home. A lot of the seniors we help are baby-sitting grandmas and grandpops who can and do appreciate more knowledge about SIDS and our caregivers readily share their knowledge with these seniors so everyone is better informed and the whole family can sleep safer with knowledge tucked in by their side.
Our Director of Nursing shares something very personal
We’re sorry to relate that Lindsey Guiterrez, R.N., our fantastic and adventurous Director of Nursing (DON) at BrightStar, lost a daughter to SIDS. Though it’s only been a few years, she has learned a great deal and has become a personal and professional expert on the syndrome. In fact, Lindsey has offered to be a resource for anyone interested in learning more about SIDS, how to lower the risk of it occurring, and she is available for emotional support if you want to talk about your experience. You can reach her by calling (847) 510-5750.
For more information on the range of home services we provide on Chicago’s North Shore please contact us.
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Resources:
Illinois Dept. of Health SIDS fact sheet
AG Scientific
NIH – Safe to Sleep
- Seniors at home often have the delightful job of babysitting for their grandchildren, it’s important for them to know the facts about SIDS to increase safety and lower risk of infant mortality.
- Next, we’re acknowledged by seniors and their loved ones for the “higher standard of care” and compassion our nurses and caregivers provide. The fact that all our caregivers are trained in SIDS risk factors is one more example of the way BrightStar shines in the home care area.
- Everyone, not just seniors, should be knowledgeable about the national “Safe Sleep” campaign and what you can do to reduce the risk of SIDS.
What is SIDS? How common is it? What causes it?
According to the Illinois Dept. of Public Health, SIDS is the sudden, unexpected death of an infant under one year of age that remains unexplained after a thorough investigation. In the U.S., SIDS is the number one cause of death in infants between 1 month and 1 year of age. About 2,500 deaths a year are ascribed to SIDS; that’s an unacceptable 7 infant deaths a day.
SIDS happens in families of all social, economic and ethnic groups. Misconceptions are common, but the truth is it’s not contagious, predictable or completely preventable. That’s an important thing for those who have experienced the tragedy of SIDS. As a parent, to think you could have prevented SIDS from occurring would be an unbearable thought.
The mystery of SIDS
Ironically and tragically, there’s little to point to as the scientific cause of SIDS. One theory is that an infant who initially appears to be healthy has an underlying defect in the area in the brain that controls heart and lung functions, including heart rate and breathing. Babies born with this abnormality may be more vulnerable to breathing malfunction and sudden death.
Because we don’t know the exact cause of SIDS, it is important to eliminate the risk factors that can be controlled. These factors include exposure to secondhand smoke, tummy sleeping, sharing of a bed with an infant and other unsafe sleep practices.
What you can do to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep for bed time and nap time.
- Use a safety approved crib with a firm mattress. Drop side cribs should not be used. For information on crib safety standards, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website at www.cpsc.gov.
- Maintain a safe sleeping environment – safety approved crib, fitted sheet and firm mattress.
- Remove all loose bedding, such as pillows, quilts, stuffed toys and other soft items from the crib.
- Don't let your baby become too warm. The ideal sleeping temperature of a baby’s room is 71°. Multiple coverings may not be needed or a good idea.
- Make sure your baby's head is uncovered.
- Don't smoke while pregnant.
- Don't smoke around your baby and don't let anyone else smoke around your baby.
- Don't allow bed-sharing, even with siblings.
- Don't use bumper pads in cribs due to suffocation or strangulation hazards.
- Breastfeed your baby. Studies show breastfeeding can help reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Consider offering a pacifier after breastfeeding is established, at bed time and at nap time.
- Room-share with your baby, without bed-sharing.
- Don't use products claiming to reduce the risk of SIDS, including wedges and positioners.
- Take your baby for their well-child appointments, including vaccinations.
Be alert and join the national “Safe to Sleep” Campaign.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) has a ton of valuable information on SIDS, so inform yourself about the latest facts with a simple click here.
One important step forward in reducing the number of SIDS deaths by almost 50% has been the Safe to Sleep® campaign, formerly known as the Back to Sleep campaign.
This program has helped educate millions of caregivers—parents, grandparents (seniors we care for) aunts, uncles, babysitters, child care providers and others—about ways to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant death.
How BrightStar North Suburban supports SIDS awareness
As noted earlier, our job at BrightStar Care North Suburban is to serve seniors and others who want knowledgeable and compassionate care services in the comfort of home. A lot of the seniors we help are baby-sitting grandmas and grandpops who can and do appreciate more knowledge about SIDS and our caregivers readily share their knowledge with these seniors so everyone is better informed and the whole family can sleep safer with knowledge tucked in by their side.
Our Director of Nursing shares something very personal
We’re sorry to relate that Lindsey Guiterrez, R.N., our fantastic and adventurous Director of Nursing (DON) at BrightStar, lost a daughter to SIDS. Though it’s only been a few years, she has learned a great deal and has become a personal and professional expert on the syndrome. In fact, Lindsey has offered to be a resource for anyone interested in learning more about SIDS, how to lower the risk of it occurring, and she is available for emotional support if you want to talk about your experience. You can reach her by calling (847) 510-5750.
For more information on the range of home services we provide on Chicago’s North Shore please contact us.
------------------------
Resources:
Illinois Dept. of Health SIDS fact sheet
AG Scientific
NIH – Safe to Sleep