As part of the national week for the prevention of unexpected infant death, several hospitals in France organize awareness days.
“Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome” is defined as “the sudden death of a child aged 1 month to 1 year who had been healthy until then, when nothing in his known antecedents or in the history of the facts could have let it be foreseen”. Death most often occurs during sleep.
This drama still concerns between 250 and 350 babies each year in France and in half of the cases, no scientific explanation is found: we then speak of sudden infant death syndrome. Through stands and thematic workshops during these special days, hospitals want to make people understand what is the sudden death of a child under 2 years old.
I sleep on my back
It is the first recommendation made that is the most basic. Indeed, despite a 75% reduction in the number of deaths following the national campaigns of 1990, “I sleep on my back”, France remains one of the European countries where the prevalence of these deaths is the highest. Lay your infant down supine in a sleeping bag adapted to their size and the season, on a firm mattress and in a cot. Do not add a duvet, sheet, cuddly toy, cushion or bumper, as they could cover, suffocate or confine your baby. With regard to the pacifier, studies report a protective effect when it is positioned when falling asleep and not attached to the child.
The main risk is suffocation. Your baby must be able to move, turn his head, without obstructing his breathing. The air must circulate and this is why a crib is strongly recommended. It is estimated that still 50% of unexpected infant death cases are preventable respecting the recommended preventive measures in terms of bedding but also the environment.
A temperature between 18 and 20°C
The chamber should not be overheated and the air should circulate. room temperature should not exceed 20°C. Thus, it is recommended that the child sleeps in the same room as his parents until he is six months old or even 1 year old. On the other hand, it is not recommended to sleep with your baby (co-sleeping) at the risk of him finding himself in an unsuitable position and that he suffocates. There are cradles suitable for co-sleeping on the market.
In addition, breastfeeding an infant for the first six months would have a protective effect thanks to the beneficial effects of prolonged exclusive breastfeeding.