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Why Is SIDS Highest At 2 to 4 Months? Experts Don't Have The Answers

by Meg Kehoe

Though Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has a fairly stable time table, lasting anywhere from around three weeks up to eight months, mothers and fathers may be wondering why SIDS is highest at two to four months. With 90 percent of SIDS related deaths occurring before six months, according to Parents, it's understandably alarming to be the parent of an infant. Especially because there are no proven scientific causes for SIDS.

However, there doesn't seem to be any explanation as to why the peak of SIDS is highest at two to four months. Many experts speculate that the danger of SIDS comes to an end at eight months, because babies are able to roll over on their own at that age, eliminating the danger of accidental suffocation from their sleeping position.

Regardless of the why SIDS happens, there are things you can do to help prevent SIDS in an infant's life. Seeing that SIDS is the leading cause of death for infants aged one month to one year, according to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, it's good to be armed with prevention tactics, whether you're a mother, a babysitter, or have friends with infants.

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One of the most important things you can do to help prevent SIDS, is to create a safe-sleep environment. According to Healthy Child America, a safe sleep environment includes a number of practices that are easy to implement. Creating a safe sleep environment begins before your baby even arrives. Making sure you have a firm mattresses to help prevent SIDS, finding a fitted sheet that meets current safety standards, and keeping all soft bedding, toys, and more, out of the crib while the baby is in the crib, are just some steps to take towards creating the correct environment.

After you create your safe sleep environment, you'll want to use safe sleep practices once your baby has arrived. Healthy Child America encourages you to put your baby to sleep on their back during naps, and at bedtime. Because babies who sleep on their sides are more likely to roll over onto their stomachs while they sleep, the side position can be just as dangerous as placing a baby on their stomach while they sleep. Keeping your baby cool is also an important safe sleep practice, cccording to Parents. Dressing your baby in light clothing, installing a fan, and setting the room temperature at a comfortable temperature are all important practices.

Though there's no solid explanation as to why SIDS peaks between two to four months, taking all measures and precautions until your baby reaches a year in age is incredibly important to help prevent SIDS from affecting you and your family.