Question by MLD: Are there any SIDS safe sleep aids for babies?
I’ve found that my 5 month old falls asleep easily with a stuffed animal in his arms (he’s supervised of course). When we leave him to fall asleep on his own, he has a VERY difficult time. Is there anything I can leave him with unsupervised?
Best answer:
Answer by Melissa J
unsupervised he should have NO toys, blankets, or pillows in the crib.
He could have a pacifier if he likes one. That is safe, and can even help prevent SIDs because they continue to suck.
Add your own answer in the comments!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I think a small (very small ) stuffed animal will be ok. He is old enough now that he has control over his head well and can turn over and things like that. I know there are many things that they say causes SIDS but if you have a healthy child and a small blanket and one small stuffed animal in there I see no problems. You might want to read up on the latest news in SIDS for more details. Make sure the stuffed animal is not overly fluffy!!!
Officially, you can’t put ANYTHING in the crib. But… SIDS is most prevalent in african americans, there has also been studies that say it is genetic. If you are not africian american, or have a history if SIDS in the family, you may consider butting a small, non-fluffy toy in the crib. Be sure that the room is properly ventilated and not too warm. (Some studies say a too-hot room can also be a factor) There are also video monitors that you may want to utilize. Also be calmed in knowing that your child is 5 mos old, after 6 months the probality is signifcantly lessened and even more so by 9 mos. But I will say again that really it’s advised by medical professionals that nothing is out in the crib.
While i feel sorry for the person who answered who lost her child, she is not entirely correct. Since doctors have advised parents to remove all objects from babies cribs, cases of SIDS has significantly decreased. The person who answered talking about race and genetics was right to do so, “STUDIES SHOW” indicates that it is a possibility– not a fact. Any doctor who says that it is a “bunch of crap” that toys in the crib is not a risk is a quack. The unfortunate truth is we dont know everyting, but as we continue to study SIDS we will know more. Please see below link for short article about african americans and their increased risk of SIDS
Well for starters a pacifier does not help prevent SIDS just anothre theory that is crap. My 5 month old daughter died of SIDS and she had a pacifer. It was laying beside her head because it fell out when she stopped breathing. She was on her back, not overheated, no blankets, no stuffed animals, I did not smoke nor did my husband or anyone else smoke around her, I did not drink during my pregnancy, it is unpreventable. SIDS is not genetic. Nobody in my family had a baby die of SIDS and the doctor at the hospital that day said it was not genetic because I asked the chances of it happening again if I had more children. It is not likely to happen in the same family again. SIDS is not gender related nor ethnic related. My daughter was not African American, Hispanic, Chinese, whatever so for the person that said that needs to do a little more research since the criteria has changed over the past couple of years. As a matter of fact in my SIDS group there are more girls that died than boys, none were of African American, Hispanic, etc. origin, and only a couple were on their tummy the rest were on their back, sides, in strollers, swings, car seats, being held, etc. People need to get their facts straight before answering a serious question like this. There is nothing you can do to prevent SIDS and suffocation is not SIDS. If you have a stuffed animal in your babies crib and your baby dies that is not SIDS that is suffocation, not the same thing. At one time suffocation was considered SIDS if it was not intentional but now it is not. Suffication is suffocation they just need to determine if it was accidental or intentional. SIDS has no cause upon an autopsy. Sorry but I have done tons of research and the whole suffocation also being put in the SIDS category is not more that is a FACT! I have done my research since my daughter died more than you probably have and the way the rule a death as a SIDS death has changed so maybe you need to get some statistics that are more current. Suffocation is NOT SIDS, which is what happeneds when a baby gets smothered by blankets, stuffed animals, co-sleeping, etc. It’s pretty obvious that suffocation is a cause of death that is not, however, the definition of SIDS.
Source(s):
Medical Professional, SIDS mother, have done years of research after the loss of my daughter. Here is a nice little link for the person that said they feel sorry for me because I don’t know what i’m talking about, sorry I do. This talks about suffocation not being considered SIDS anymore and it happens to ALL RACES not just one imparticular. http://www.faqs.org/faqs/misc-kids/sids/