Prevent SIDS By Keeping Baby Cozy

SIDS, or 'sudden infant death syndrome', also called "cot death", is the term used for the sudden and unexplainable death of an otherwise healthy infant during their first year of life. Specifically, a lack of contributing medical history or evidence of cause of death during an autopsy tend to lead medical professionals to label an infant's death as caused by SIDS. Theories about the cause of SIDS are numerous, and include brain stem anomalies, genetic anomalies, re-breathing of exhaled air or lack of proper room ventilation, and the use of plastic diaper covers; but as yet, there is no known cause.

The first big step towards reducing SIDS incidents was the decision to put babies to sleep on their backs, rather than their stomachs. While this drastically cut down the number of annual SIDS deaths, it continues to be a fairly frequent and not fully understood cause of death. A baby sleeping bag, however, can cut the infant's chance of death by SIDS in half. This is due to several factors: the baby is easily kept in a reclining and comfortable positon, with no restricted airflow and the ability to freely move his or her arms; the baby cannot roll from back sleeping position to front sleeping position as easily when contained in a baby sleeping bag; and, if the infant is an "active sleeper", there is no chance of loose blankets covering the infant's face, mouth, or nose.

How Does a Baby Sleeping Bag Work?

The baby sleeping bag is a rectangular, loose bag made of soft cotton, although some manufacturers also produce silk, polyester, wool, or linen variants. Every baby sleeping bag appears a bit 'floppy' at the feet, with a zipper down the front and a top half that looks similar to a tanktop or vest. There are large openings for the infant's arms and a fitted neck opening. There are variations in the different types of baby sleeping bag, although they're all basically the same; some have an upside-down zipper, moving the hard slider away from the infant's face and neck, while others include a swatch of cloth to cover the slider and protect the baby's skin; some come with removable 'wings' for swaddling, and still others have removable sleeves or foot portions.

The baby sleeping bag was invented as a response to the problem of SIDS as well as the continuing issue of infant suffocation in cots. While parents have been instructed for years not to place loose bedding, pillows, or stuffed animals inside their child's cot, they continue to do so, and numerous children die as a result each year. With a baby sleeping bag, the children who would be at risk of suffocation are made much safer by the use of a wearable blanket.

The Cure for SIDS

The invention of the baby sleeping bag is an important step forward in the battle against SIDS, but the war is not yet won. Research studies must continue until a solution is found.