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Swaddling is a method where babies are
wrapped in a blanket that mimics the
position and comfort that infants feel while
in the mother’s womb. Most recent studies
show that swaddled infants may have improved
sleep since swaddling has been shown to
decrease the startling response. Swaddled
infants are able to sleep longer through the
night. In US hospitals it is common
practice to swaddle newborn babies into
bundles of joy; however, American mothers
are not routinely taught to continue this
practice when both go home. American
physicians do not customarily recommend such
a practice outside of the hospital.
Physicians warn that swaddling with heavy
blankets may increase the likelihood of
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) because
of overheating.
In other cultures such as Australia,
India and Asia, infants are commonly
swaddled until 4 months of age and the
incidence of SIDS in these countries is
almost none existence.
A Definition of SIDS
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a
disease of unknown cause. SIDS still
accounts for most infant deaths in the
United States. Its peak incidence is between
2 and 4 months of life. SIDS is defined as
the sudden death of an infant less than 1
year of age, which remains unexplained after
a thorough case investigation, including
performance of a complete autopsy,
examination of the death scene, and review
of the clinical history.
The following are independent risk
factors for SIDS:
- Prone (stomach) sleeping position
- Sleeping on a soft surface
- Maternal smoking during pregnancy
- Overheating
- Late or no prenatal care
- Young maternal age
- Prematurely/and or low birth rate
- Male
The implementation of the Back to
Sleep policy since 1992, by the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), has
significantly reduced SIDS. In other
countries where prone sleeping is rare, the
rate of SIDS has been historically low. The
AAP policy from 2000 made recommendations to
further reduce the incidence of SIDS by
other strategies. The swaddling of infants
during the peak age for SIDS (2-4 months)
affects the two following independent risk
factors: sleeping on soft surfaces and
overheating.
Removing Soft Surfaces
Swaddle infants in a Muslin wrap
(translucent, lightweight and breathable
cotton). The infants can be placed on their
backs or on their sides with no loose
bedding to cover them or pillows, quilts or
comforters beneath them (all of which have
been associated as risk factors for SIDS).
Particularly in Arizona, where the
temperature is already warm, there is no
need for pillows, blankets and comforters.
However, a light blanket at night still
provides the infant with comfort during the
cool evenings.
Preventing Overheating
Swaddling with a lightweight blanket can
also decrease the incidence of SIDS.
Overheating, particularly in infants
sleeping in the prone position, has an
increase risk for SIDS. There seems to be an
association with higher rates of SIDS
recorded in the winter months. This seasonal
association suggests an interaction among
environmental factors. There is a theory
that the increase infant temperature has a
relationship with the ability of the infant
to initiate a breathing response. Therefore
a lightweight blanket swaddling an infant
would not contribute to overheating.
Knowing the Facts
Swaddling your newborn baby until four
months using a lightweight blanket may
indeed prevent sudden infant death syndrome
by promoting infants to sleep on their side
or back as well as improving quality and
comfort of their sleep.
Parents can help by:
- Understanding the definition of
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and
know who is at risk.
- Know the independent risk factors
associated with SIDS
- Consider swaddling infants in
lightweight blankets to reduce these two
independent risk factors which increase
SIDS: sleeping on soft surfaces and
overheating.
Article provided by:
Solana Babywear (lightweight swaddling
blankets).
Author:
Emily Zaragoza Lao, M.D. Medical Director
Director of Faculty Development and Research
Family Medicine Department
St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center,
Phoenix, Arizona
NOTE: The article above titled "Does Swaddling My Newborn Baby Help
Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?" was provided by a
visitor to "The New Parents Guide" and is the opinion of its author. "The New Parents Guide" does not guarantee the information to
be factual. Always use the guidance of your child's doctor
over information you read on this site or elsewhere; your doctor knows what is
best for your baby.
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