SIDS Age Range

When can you stop worrying about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome? I had thought that the SIDS age range was from birth to 6 months. I never worried about it too much... I knew basic causes and believed that it would never happen to me. I do remember breathing a sigh of relief at 6 months because at that point I couldn't prevent her from rolling herself over and it was nice to know that now she would be safe, and I was happy to finally start putting a blanket on her in our cold house and letting her sleep with her Teddy. The crib was plenty big and she could get up and move if she couldn't breathe right?

Actually, the SIDS age range is 1-12 months. Babies between the ages of 2-4 months are most at risk, and 90 percent of SIDS cases are under the age of 6 months. Still, 1.3 deaths of 100,000 children aged 12 months or older die for unknown reasons. It is SO important that you continue taking measures to prevent SIDS up to 12 months, and even longer to be safe. Olivia was very mobile. She kicked off blankets when she was hot, I would put her down on one side of the crib and she would wake up on the other, and she go from back-sleeping to tummy sleeping, but she wasn't able to recognize when she couldn't breathe.

I know that it's hard to use some of the prevention tips once your child is older but here are a few steps you continue taking once your baby becomes mobile:

-Use a firm crib mattress. Softer mattresses may cause your child to sink, therefore making it hard for them to breathe

-Don't overheat your baby with too much clothing or an overly hot room. 60-70 degrees is a good range.

-Keep pillows, fluffy blankets, comforters, stuffed animals, and other soft objects out of the crib. There are so many Breathable Baby Mesh Bumper you can choose from, and you can use a blanket sleeper like this one Halo Fleece Sleepsack Swaddle Set - Pink to keep them warm.

-Never allow people to smoke around your baby