Local support groups are assisting families who are struggling with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) due to the unique challenges that they are facing.
In a statement, Texas Tech physician Dr. Ana Montanez said that one child lost for any reason is still “one too many.” The medical professional said that SIDS can be difficult for them to work through with families.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Montanez added that historically, SIDS has been recognized as a syndrome that is associated with children dying unexpectedly in their sleep or unknowingly without symptoms, simply dying while sleeping. This has been expanded to include infants under the age of one who have died unexpectedly for reasons that could not be medically explained.
The physician said that there was no exact way to prevent SIDS, but noted that there are steps that can be taken to lower the risk. It was noted that one of the most important factors to consider is a child’s sleep positioning, according to KCBD.
Montanez said that the first thing parents or caretakers should do is put infants to sleep on their backs. She added that when they are awake, infants can be placed on their tummies without any adverse effects on their health.
Another important factor to consider is that children need a safe sleep environment. Montanez noted that from a newborn baby’s perspective, the entire world is new, and everything they go through is a new sensory experience. It is important to keep the environment dark and quiet, and for the temperature to be appropriate when they go to sleep.
Other factors that should be taken into consideration include smoking, which should be avoided around newborns. Another is letting kids sleep on their own and ensuring that there is no chance they could suffocate while sleeping, Fox34 reported.
Providing Needed Support
The medical professional noted that because it is impossible to reduce the risks of SIDS to zero, everyone should try to support each other as best they can. This is where local support groups come in, including Isabel Espinosa, the chapter leader of The Compassionate Friends in Lubbock.
Espinosa’s daughter died in a car crash, an incident that changed how she viewed the world. She said that when the tragedy happened, she sank, noting she needed to find a chapter or a grief support group that was more specialized towards her loss.
The situation comes after Mississippi health officials in August this year declared a public health emergency as the rate of mortality among young infants hit a decade-long high. State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney said at the time that too many families were losing their babies before their first birthday, as per People.
Originally published on parentherald.com
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