How Do SIDS Deaths Occur?

Infant cot death can cause the death of even a healthy baby which makes SIDS deaths almost impossible to predict. When a death occurs, it is only when illness, birth defects, parental negligence, and genetic disorder have been ruled out as a cause that it will be ascribed to SIDS. Infants who have succumbed to SIDS deaths show no signs of suffering, but a true SIDS-related death could be due to a combination of factors.

Risk of SIDS

Studies show the following characteristics or features lead to higher risk of SIDS:

• Babies between 2-4 months old are the most common victims, but the first six months have a high risk of SIDS
• SIDS deaths are most frequent during colder months
• African-American babies twice as likely to die of SIDS
• Babies of Native American origin are three times as likely to die of SIDS
• Male infants are more vulnerable to risk of SIDS than female infants
• Addiction to or use of drugs, alcohol or nicotine during pregnancy
• Inadequate prenatal care can increase the risk of SIDS
• Teenage pregnancies and mothers under the age of 20
• Premature or low weight babies are more susceptible to infant cot death
• Exposure to cigarette smoke after birth can lead to SIDS death
• Babies who are covered or overdressed could overheat while sleeping, leading to SIDS death
• Babies who are put to sleep on their stomach or side could succumb to infant cot death as it hampers breathing

Parenting Tips for Preventing SIDS

• Pregnancy care: During pregnancy, fetuses that are exposed to nicotine, alcohol, or drugs are more likely to succumb to SIDS deaths. Expectant mothers should ensure regular prenatal check-ups are performed at the right time.
• New born infants: Breast feeding has lately shown to be effective in preventing SIDS. Ensure that babies are kept in smoke-free atmospheres.

Sleeping Habits to Reduce the Risk of SIDS:

• Ensuring safe sleeping habits for babies is the most effective way to reduce risk of SIDS.
• Use firm mattresses for babies to sleep on. Do not use water beds, beanbags, sofas or fleece and lambskin.
• Avoid placing stuffed toys and pillows in the cribs or bassinets of infants.
• The most important precaution against SIDS deaths is to place babies on their backs to sleep. This keeps airways and breathing patterns open and unobstructed. If babies have reflux problems or parents are worried they may choke on milk, vomit or other substances, it is best to talk to the family doctor.
• Babies should be placed in a separate crib or bassinet to sleep, but if possible kept in the parents’ room so that you are always close at hand. This significantly reduces the risk of SIDS deaths.
• Once babies can roll over both onto their sides and stomachs, it is acceptable to allow them to choose their own sleeping position. This is usually possible for babies during their 5-7^th months.
• Keep the room in which the baby is sleeping at a pleasant temperature. A temperature that is comfortable for an adult in a short sleeved shirt is the right temperature for babies. This is usually around 16-20 degrees Celsius.
• Babies do not need to be covered by blankets during the first 6 months, but if used, a blanket should be tucked under the mattress at the bottom of the bed so that it cannot move above the baby’s shoulders.
• Studies show that pacifiers can help reduce the risk of SIDS. Babies who are comfortable using a pacifier can be laid to sleep with one in their mouths. There is no need to replace it if it falls out during sleep.

While all the precautions are important, also ensure that any caretakers or family members who may interact with the baby are aware of these guidelines to prevent SIDS. Keeping regular appointments for well baby check-ups are important as well.

References:

1. Preventing Cot Death – Baby and Pregnancy
2. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – Kids Health
3. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDC) – Mayo Clinic

Working with children can be very rewarding, there is nothing like the satisfaction of watching a child improve in skills that you have helped them with. Quality care and play for children up to the age of 14 makes a huge impact on a child’s life and no other career can give you the satisfaction of knowing you played a part in that.

The satisfaction you gain however comes with a price and a career in childcare is not for everyone, a lot of patience is needed along with enthusiasm and the job can be demanding. If you can answer yes to most of the questions listed below then maybe childcare is the career for you:

Questions you should ask yourself

• I love being around young children.
• I have excellent communication skills.
• I am sensitive to the needs of parents.
• I am creative.
• I am willing to take training.
• I can be flexible.
• I am able to work with people from any background.
• I am patient.

What qualifications do I need?

Qualifications for working with children in teaching and play are needed at different levels and generally the higher level of qualification you have the higher the pay. As a very rough guide:

• Level 2 – This level allows you to work with children under supervision.
• Level 3 – This level gives you the freedom of working on your own with children and you are able to use your own initiative when planning and organising work or activities, this level also allows you to supervise others.
• Level 4 – This level is for managerial positions.

The qualification or level needed will depend on the position you apply for in childcare, an example would be half the carers who work in a day nursery must have qualifications in early years care level 3.

What choices are there for working in childcare?

There are several opportunities for working with children depending on the age of child you prefer working with, whether you want to work for just a few hours or full time. There are four basic choices which are Nursery and nursery assistants in schools, playgroups and pre schools, child minding and play work.

Nursery work

Nurseries provide full or half day care, play and education for children up to the age of 5 years, they can be run by local authorities, community groups or be privately owned. Some nurseries particularly those run by local authorities are attached to junior and infant schools and work close with them in easing the transition from nursery to infant schools. You would normally be helping in planning and providing activities, taking care of needs such as washing, taking to the toilet, feeding and providing nap time.

Pre-school and playgroups

Children attending pre-school or playgroup are normally between the age of 2 and 5, they provide you with working part time, full time or just in term time and you would usually assist in providing play and educational activities and help in the general care of the children such as washing, changing and nap times.

Child minding

This type of work will involve working with children of all ages and consists of either working in your own home with the children or working in the child’s home. One thing to bear in mind if you want to go into child minding is that you have to be registered.

In the UK as is the case in many other countries your home has to be inspected for suitability for providing childcare by the office for standards in education. Usually you will be able to take care of a maximum of two children per adult.

Play work

Play work usually involves out of school clubs, holiday schemes and breakfast clubs, children can range from the age of 4 to 14 years and this type of work is usually offered by local authorities, voluntary organisations, privately owned or community centers. Your role would be helping to run and organise various activities and the overall welfare and safety of the children attending.