Recently, Dr. Lisa Masterson appeared on CNN International to address a recent study regarding SIDS and infants and parents sharing a room for the first 6 months.
There are an estimated 3,500 deaths from SIDS and other sleep-related deaths in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Forty-four percent of these are caused by sudden infant death, with 25% accidental strangulation or suffocation and the rest unknown.
Sudden infant death syndrome is a parents worst fear, Says Dr. Lisa Masterson. The bedding a baby uses will be different than the bedding used by adults so a separate bed is key. It is also important to keep the baby on their back at a slight incline.
Dr. Lisa also added, ” There is no exact ideology as to why this happens but keeping the baby in the same room, in a separate bed and on their back at a slight angle free from pillows, soft blankets and stuffed animals will greatly decrease the risk of SIDS.”