SIDS: Health Officials Release New Guidelines To Protect Babies From Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Experts from the U.K.'s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have released new guidelines for the parents to protect their babies from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Moreover, the update aims to clarify the association between co-sleeping and SIDS.

According to Manchester Evening Standard, there were five areas have been addressed in the new guidelines. Here are the fresh guidelines advice.

E-cigarettes

NICE said until findings regarding its association with SIDS become available, e-cigarettes should be treated the same as cigarettes. Hence, experts are advising all parents not to smoke around babies.

Car seats

When travelling long distance with babies, NICE advised making regular stops, so parents can take babies out from the seat for a break. The same goes for other travel systems to ensure babies are not resting in a semi-upright position.

Co-sleeping twins

According to the new guidelines, twins should be placed not too close to each other when they are sleeping. This is to make sure they can't roll on each other.

Slings

Under the new guidelines, parents should secure their sling in a position where they can see their baby. Meaning, the baby sling should be placed in front of them, not in the back. Moreover, parents should make sure that the child is not curled up so much that the child's chin is forced into the carrier's chest because it can restrict baby's breathing.

Co-sleeping with the baby

NICE advised if parents or caregivers are drinking, taking drugs or smoking, they shouldn't share a bed with a baby. Furthermore, the new guidelines advised health medical team to recognise the parents co-sleeping with babies because it could be intentional or non-intentional. Hence, they need to discuss it with all the parents.

In the U.K., 300 babies die yearly due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Unfortunately, no cure can still be found for the illness, since the cause of SIDS remains unknown, as per Mirror. Thus, NICE is hoping that the new guidelines can reduce the risk of SIDS in babies.