Select Page

Reducing SIDS

Should breastfeeding be included in educational materials as a strategy to reduce the risk of SIDS? Interesting study from Germany poses this question (<http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/589405_print>). Case-control study of 333 infants who died of SIDS and 998 age-matched controls. Researchers found that breastfeeding reduced the risk of SIDS by approximately 50% at all ages throughout infancy. Authors recommend that breastfeeding be included as a strategy to reduce the risk of SIDS. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) website on SIDS (<www.nichd.nih.gov/public

ations/pubs/safe_sleep_gen.cfm#risk>) does not include breastfeeding as one of the ten recommended strategies to reduce the risk of SIDS. Granted, the list focuses on safe sleep practices, but one of the listed strategies is, “Do not allow smoking around your baby.” Clearly, that recommendation is not directly related to safe sleeping practices. The American Academy of Pediatrics also does not include breastfeeding as a strategy to reduce SIDS. It may be time to reconsider!

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *