Parenting Classes on SIDS are Essential in Protecting Infants

Picture this:

A newly married couple is beyond thrilled to learn they are going to be parents. One

after another doctor and specialist had told them it would not happen. But here they are.

The husband, age 59, and wife, age 41, are about to be the parents of a beautiful baby

girl. It was a once-in-a-lifetime shot at parenthood. They took it and won. Their healthy

baby girl was born on a Friday afternoon, and the proud new dad ran out to buy every

cute stuffed animal he could find. He called all his friends. He was over the moon. Only 1

month later, the baby’s lifeless body was found in her crib. A full 5 years later the father

still could not talk about what happened without falling to his knees in agony.

I was a member of the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome’s national board of directors when I witnessed one of his melt downs. I’ve never forgotten it.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a tragic and devastating event that can occur

unexpectedly in seemingly healthy infants. It is the leading cause of death among

infants between one month and one year of age. While the exact cause of SIDS is still

unknown, there are steps that parents and caregivers can take to reduce the risk of

SIDS. At Family Guidance and Outreach, we believe that taking classes about SIDS is

an essential step in protecting infants from this devastating condition. Why? Taking the

simplest precaution, such as putting a baby on his/ her back for all sleep times, is the

leading weapon in the fight against SIDS.

SIDS is a sudden and unexplained death of an infant under the age of one. It often

occurs during sleep and is typically discovered after the fact, as there are no obvious

signs or symptoms of the condition. Although the exact cause of SIDS is still unknown,

research has identified certain risk factors that can increase the likelihood of SIDS

occurring. These risk factors include placing infants on their stomachs to sleep,

exposure to secondhand smoke, overheating, and soft bedding. It’s also been

determined that having a baby sleep in a parent’s bed is also very dangerous. Thanks

to the research funded by the nation SIDS Board of Director’s, the fight against sudden

baby death has more weapons.

By taking classes about SIDS, parents and caregivers can learn about the risk factors

associated with SIDS and the steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of SIDS

occurring. This includes guidance on safe sleep practices, such as placing infants on

their backs to sleep, using a firm and flat sleep surface, avoiding soft bedding and toys

in the sleep area, and keeping the sleep area free from objects that could obstruct the

infant's breathing. The Family Guidance organization has joined with the national Candle organization to make sure the latest information in the fight against SIDS is

made available for the FGO classes.

In addition to learning about safe sleep practices, taking classes about SIDS can also

provide parents and caregivers with valuable information on recognizing the signs and

symptoms of SIDS, and what to do if SIDS is suspected. This can include instructions

on how to perform CPR and other emergency procedures, as well as information on

how to access medical care and support if needed.

At Family Guidance and Outreach, we believe that taking classes about SIDS is an

essential step in protecting infants from this devastating condition. By providing parents

and caregivers with the knowledge and skills they need to reduce the risk of SIDS, we

can help ensure that infants are safe and healthy. If you are a parent or caregiver of an

infant, we encourage you to seek out resources and support in your community to learn

more about SIDS and how to keep your infant safe.

For more information on our classes, please visit our Parenting Class page: PARENTING CLASSES