Page 67 - What to Expect

Going home

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Many parents are concerned about SIDS. The sleeping position of a baby
seems to play a large part in the prevention of SIDS. Lying baby on his
back only is recommended.

The following actions are precautionary measures recommended to help
prevent SIDS:

Do not smoke in the same house as the baby
Place baby to sleep on his back in his own bed

Breast-feed, if possible, for at least six months.
Some premature babies who have been in an incubator for a long time
don’t like the closed-in feeling of a bassinet. You could put your baby
straight into a cot but do not use bumper pads or loose duvets. Make
baby’s bed up at the bottom of the cot, this reduces the risk of him moving
underneath the blankets. Keep the head clear at all times. Bring the
blankets up to his armpits only and tuck them in well.

You can check quite easily whether your baby is warm enough. If baby’s
back and chest feel comfortably warm to your hand, he will be warm
enough. Babies often have cool hands and feet even with booties on and
after being snuggled up in bed. Hands and feet are the last parts of the
body to be warmed.

Room temperature

Babies who have been in the Unit have been used to warm room
temperatures. A heater with a thermostat on it can be left on all the time
initially to keep the chill off, if you are feeling cold yourself. The thermostat
ensures that the room remains at a constant temperature.

If baby is going to be sleeping by a window make sure there are no
draughts. A rolled-up towel placed along cracks in the joinery will usually
stop draughts. Sun can be a problem too. If baby is sleeping in the sunlight
during the day, a curtain or blind should be pulled down to keep the
sun off his body. Babies can overheat quite quickly and this can result in
dehydration.
65