DID YOU KNOW...
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the
"sudden death of an
infant under one year of age
which remains unexplained after a thorough
case
investigation, including performance of a
complete autopsy,
examination of the death scene,
and review of the clinical
history"
Many more
children die of SIDS in a year than all
who die of cancer, heart
disease, pneumonia,
child abuse, AIDS, cystic fibrosis and
muscular
dystrophy combined.
Most researchers now believe that
babies who die
of SIDS are born with one or more conditions
that
make them especially vulnerable to stresses that
occur in the
normal life of an infant,
including both internal and external
influences.
SIDS occurs in all types of families and is
largely
indifferent to race or socioeconomic level.
SIDS is unexpected,
usually occurring in
otherwise apparently healthy infants from
1
month to 1 year of age.
Most deaths from SIDS occur by the end of
the
sixth month, with the greatest number
taking place between 2 and
4 months of age.
A SIDS death occurs quickly and is
often
associated with sleep, with no signs of suffering.
More
deaths are reported in the fall and winter
(in both the Northern and
Southern Hemispheres) and
there is a 60- to 40-percent male-to-female
ratio.
A death is diagnosed as SIDS only after all
other
alternatives have been eliminated: SIDS is a
diagnosis of
exclusion.
GOD'S LITTLE CHILD
Mommy please don't be sad,
I
miss you so much too.
It's beautiful here, but I worry a lot about
you.
I sleep with angels watching me...
there is only love up
here.
I am never lonely or afraid
because God is so very
near.
I walk with Jesus every day,
He is very kind and
loving.
Don't worry Mom, He holds my hand
when we cross a golden
street.
I never cry or hurt myself.
I see Grandpa every day.
I
play and laugh and sing a lot
and I hear you when you
pray.
Please Mommy, don't be mad at God,
you see He loves me
too.
And even though you are not with me,
I am really still with
you
~Author Unknown
SIDS IS:
The major cause of death in infants from 1
month
to 1 year of age, with most deaths occurring
between 2 and 4
months
Sudden and silent--the infant was seemingly
healthy
Currently, unpredictable and unpreventable
Death
that occurs quickly, often associated with
sleep and with no signs of
suffering
Determined only after an autopsy, an examination
of
the death scene, and a review of the clinical history
Designated as
a diagnosis of exclusion
SIDS is not:
Caused by vomiting and choking, or
minor illnesses
such as colds or infections
Caused by the
diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT)
vaccines, or other
immunizations
Child abuse
The cause of every unexpected infant death
PERSONAL THOUGHTS
Sadly, I never gave much thought
about SIDS until our
family was visited by this silent killer...our
lives and
hearts have forever been changed by the loss of one
tiny
angel named Tamar! We are not alone in our grief...
7.000 families each
year experience this same
devastating loss...That is nearly one baby
every
hour of every day. This is so very, very sad!
PERSONAL
SIDS STORIES
Bradlee's Room
Remembering
You
My SIDS
Story Our Guardian
Angel
A TOUCHING
POEM
Mother, please don't mourn for me;
I'm still here,
though you don't see.
I'm right by your side each night and day
and
within your heart I long to stay.
My body is gone but I'm always
near
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but
I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your
heart.
I'll never wander out of your sight--
I'm the brightest
star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach--
I'm the
warm moist sand when you're at the beach.
I'm the colorful feves
when fall comes around
and the pure white snow that blankets the
ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which your so fond--
The clear
cool water in a quiet pond.
I'm the first bright blossom you'll see
in the spring;
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm
the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
and you'll see
that the face in the moon is mine.
When you start thinking there's
no one to love you,
you can talk to me through the Lord above
you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
and
you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.
I'm the hot
salty tears that flow when you weep
and the beautiful dreams that come
while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on baby's face.
Just look for
me, Mommy, I'm everyplace!
Author unknown
POSSIBLE PREVENTIVE
MEASURES
A study conducted at Wilhelmina Children's Hospital
in
Ulrecht, Netherlands, concluded that babies who sleep
with
pacifiers are 20 times less likely to die of SIDS.
Researchers believe
that babies who suck pacifiers are
not likely to change sleeping
positions during the night
to go from back-sleeping to tummy-sleeping.
Another
explanation could be that babies who suck pacifiers
learn to
keep their noses open as breathing passages.
This study does not
suggest that the use of pacifiers
prevent SIDS.
Placing healthy
babies on back or side when sleeping.
Maintaining a smoke free
environment before and after birth.
Not allowing the baby to become
too hot.
Breastfeeding if possible.
Please Visit the RAOK Sids
Memorial Wall
These beautiful quilt squares have been added to the
RAOK Quilt For The
Cause Webring
If you'd like, you may take
this graphic.
Please attach this link to it:
http://www.oocities.org/Heartland/Creek/9369/project8/sids.html
LINKS
The SIDS
Network SIDS
Links
National SIDS Resource
Center
American SIDS Institute
SIDS
International
Facts About
SIDS SIDS Australia
Online
The Canadian Foundation
for the Study of Infant Deaths
CFSID National
Memorial Wall
Illness, Health Care
Information Resources
Babyhood S.I.D.S. SIDS Chat
Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome Alliance
SIDS - The Silent Killer Sids Talk
SIDS:
The Smallest Angels Memorial Wall
Arizona Sids Alliance One Small
Soul
M.I.S.S.- Mothers In
Sympathy & Support
SIDS Message Board Wellness Web
American Academy of
Pediatrics
Pampers Parenting
Institute: SIDS
This TLC Project is dedicated to sweet Baby Angel Tamar
This RAOK T.L.C. project was
made possible with
the help of the wonderful members of the
T.L.C
committee and all their suggestions and ideas.
The following
Members should be mentioned for
their contributions:
Webpage by Chilady
Background
& Url/Link Research by Chrissy
Url/Link
Research by Maggie
Link
back graphic by Sue
Cat
Quilt Square by Patti
Url/Link Research by Heather
Quilt
Square by Gramma
Nancy
Graphic and URL/link research by Zack
Url/Link
Research by Diane
Url/Link
Research by Mellocup9
Graphics
by Mrs
Owl
Graphic by Kodesmom
Graphic
by Teresa
Url/Link
Research by Snugs
Our
TLC Committee Leader Kind
Soul
TLC Committee Index