SIDS

SIDS

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant who is younger than 1 year old. It's a frightening prospect because it can strike without warning, usually in seemingly healthy babies. Most SIDS deaths are associated with sleep (hence the common reference to "crib death") and infants who die of SIDS show no signs of suffering ("sudden infant death," 2014).  In my current profession, our regulation requires us to check all the infants at least five times every hour and check off on a list to verify that we are checking our infants. It is very important that we check on the infants to make sure that they are breathing or prevent anything that could cause death. I feel that this regulation is a good one because it can do no harm and only help us spot emergencies quicker. My husband is a firefighter on the military instillation and they are responsible to respond to not only fires but also medical calls. My husband has come home several times with stories of homes that he has responded to where infants have passed due to SIDS throughout his career. It’s very painful to see him come home on the days that he has had a tough call and hear of the stories that he tell. It’s not much anyone can do once you know that a child has passed away and it’s frustrating when you don’t have the answers as to why.  I feel that this topic is very meaningful to me because I work with children every day and I am in constant contact with infants. I feel that if I can provide parents that come through my center with the proper education and resources that it could help prevent the death of an infant. Some parents are young and just want to do things that are convenient for them without actually knowing the risk they are actually taking. SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants 1 month to 1 year old, and claims the lives of about 2,500 each year in the United States. It remains unpredictable despite years of research ("sudden infant death," 2014).

     Japan has one of the lowest SIDS rates in the world (between .2 and .3 babies per 1000 live births compared with approximately .5 per 1000 infants for the US). The Japan SIDS Family Organization reported that SIDS rates continue to decline in Japan as maternal smoking approaches practically 0, and exclusive breastfeeding reaches around 70-75 %. In fact, one report shows that as bed sharing and breastfeeding increased and as maternal smoking decreased, SIDS rates decreased. This suggests yet again that it is not necessarily bed sharing, but how it is practiced, that can be dangerous (McKenna, 2007). I found this article very interesting. The article stated that as bed sharing and breastfeeding
increased and as maternal smoking decreased, SIDS rates decreased. Personally, I think that I would have to do a little more research on the topic before I was totally sold on the idea that bed sharing decreased the chances of SIDs. 

McKenna, J. (2007). Cosleeping around the world. Retrieved from http://www.naturalchild.org/james_mckenna/cosleeping_world.html

Sudden infant death syndrome. (2014, January 13). Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/sleep/sids.html

Birth

         I have three children and out of all the pregnancies, my third pregnancy was the one that stuck with me the most. I say this because, this pregnancy was a total surprise and I wasn’t sure if I was emotionally ready. My second child was only four months at the time. I remember laying in the bed with my husband watching a movie when I went into labor. I told my husband that something didn’t feel right and that I thought we should go to the hospital. We were both tired because we had worked at our jobs all day and just wanted to relax. As the, “gas pains”, contractions became more frequent, I decided to go to the hospital. The hospital drive was an hour and a half away. Needless to say, I almost had the baby on the side of the road. Yes, we have a hospital close to our home, but, I was really funny about my doctors and the hospital that I wanted to deliver at. I was just sure that I would be sent home because in my other two pregnancies I was ready to be admitted into the hospital on our first trip. This time it was different, I was six centimeters and my water had already broken. My water broke when I made my husband pull on the side of the road for me to use the restroom. Everything happened so quickly. All I could think of was having meds and not wanting to feel the pain anymore. At the same time, I felt like I hadn’t come to terms on how I actually felt about having my son and I was going to love him. I felt like my little girl was shorted out of being able to be a baby girl and she had to grow up a little faster. I was angry and happy at the same time. After all was said and done, we named our son and in the beginning I was kind of hesitant but after holding him for a little while, I fell in love with him. I think, what brought me closer to him was the fact that we decided to give him my late grandfather’s name as his middle name. In a way, naming him after my grandfather brought the family closer. I chose this example because, this was the birth that allowed me to grow as a person and I was able to overcome the obstacle worrying about not being able to be a good parent or show attention to my third child. I was really blessed to have escaped postpartum depression and everything that came with it. One thing that I did notice is that my son is closer to my husband than he is me.  Even though I treat him the same and love him with all my heart, we did not get to make that first connection. My husband held him first and the connection was made with him first. With that being said, I think that the first connection made with a newborn is always a strong one. Development and feelings began the minute a child is born.

                In Germany, women focus on actually having the baby more than the outcome. Also, German women who hold a job can feel secure knowing their position will be waiting for them when and if they decide to return to work. As soon as a woman tells an employer that she is pregnant and going to have a baby, she cannot be fired.  So being pregnant can save your job. Women may stop working six weeks before they are due and are not allowed to work for eight weeks after giving birth, all with full pay. The German government offices keep a list of "accepted names" that parents must keep in mind when registering the name of their child. In the case of an unusual name, they must give good reason as to why an exception should be made. The government policy is intended to act in the best interest of the child, in an effort to toward potential ridicule of a child with a name that's too different. I wanted to stay active with my pregnancies, so I worked until the day I went into labor. I wish we were able to get full pay for eight weeks. Usually in the U.S., women have to save up leave time or take leave without pay for up to six weeks. Also in the U.S., you are allowed to name your child with no rules or regulations. Everyone is free to give their child any name they would want them to have.

Schalken, L. (n.d.). Birth customs around the world. Retrieved from http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/vaginal/birth-customs-around-the-world/

Kyson Jack Caillier with a picture of my grandfaher Jack

 Kyson Jack now at 1yr old