Spring-for-SIDS Day

Today is Spring-for-SIDS Day.

My moms' group in Sugar Land, First Colony Moms, has been participating in Spring-for-SIDS this year in memory of Kristen Clarke Reed, the 4-month-old daughter of one of our members, who passed away on March 6, 2009.

This national event is sponsored by the American SIDS Institute with the purpose of raising awareness of SIDS and raising funds for SIDS research. Participants are encouraged to spread awareness about SIDS and wear their festive Spring outfits in recognition of the day.

First Colony Moms has already raised about $2500 in Kristen's memory between online and in-person donations, and online donations will continue to be accepted through April 29th.

If you'd like to learn more, or if you'd like to make a donation please visit http://www.springforsids.org/ and enter the team name First Colony Moms when asked 'Team or Baby's name donation is in honor of'.

Please remember these 3 important things you can do to prevent SIDS.

Smoke-Free: Do not smoke during pregnancy and don't ever let anyone smoke around the baby.
Back to Sleep: Place the baby to sleep (day and night) on her back in a crib or bassinet with a firm mattress. Place the crib close to the parents' bed.
Bare Crib: Nothing should be in the crib but the baby and the clothing needed to stay warm (but not too warm). This means no pillows, blankets, toys, bumpers, or positioning devices.

SIDS prevention

Just a reminder...

Things you can do to reduce the risk of SIDS:

1. Place infants to sleep on their backs, even though they may sleep more soundly on their stomachs. Infants who sleep on their stomachs and sides have a much higher rate of SIDS than infants who sleep on their backs.
2. Place infants to sleep in a baby bed with a firm mattress. There should be nothing in the bed but the baby - no covers, no pillows, no bumper pads, no positioning devices and no toys. Soft mattresses and heavy covering are associated with the risk for SIDS.
3. Keep your baby’s crib in the parents’ room until the infant is at least 6 months of age. Studies clearly show that infants are safest when their beds are close to their mothers.
4. Do not place your baby to sleep in an adult bed. Typical adult beds are not safe for babies. Do not fall asleep with your baby on a couch or in a chair.
5. Do not over-clothe the infant while she sleeps. Just use enough clothes to keep the baby warm without having to use cover. Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for you. Overheating an infant may increase the risk for SIDS.
6. Avoid exposing the infant to tobacco smoke. Don't have your infant in the same house or car with someone who is smoking. The greater the exposure to tobacco smoke, the greater the risk of SIDS.
7. Breast-feed babies whenever possible. Breast milk decreases the occurrence of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Studies show that breast-fed babies have a lower SIDS rate than formula-fed babies do.
8. Avoid exposing the infant to people with respiratory infections. Avoid crowds. Carefully clean anything that comes in contact with the baby. Have people wash their hands before holding or playing with your baby. SIDS often occurs in association with relatively minor respiratory (mild cold) and gastrointestinal infections (vomiting and diarrhea).
9. Offer your baby a pacifier. Some studies have shown a lower rate of SIDS among babies who use pacifiers.
10. If your baby has periods of not breathing, going limp or turning blue, tell your pediatrician at once.
11. If your baby stops breathing or gags excessively after spitting up, discuss this with your pediatrician immediately.
12. Thoroughly discuss each of the above points with all caregivers. If you take your baby to daycare or leave him with a sitter, provide a copy of this list to them. Make sure they follow all recommendations.
Provided by the American SIDS Institute, www.sids.org

The American SIDS Institute is sponsoring a national event, Spring for SIDS, to raise awareness of SIDS and to raise funds for SIDS research. If you'd like to learn more, if you'd like to start your own team to help the cause, or if you'd like to make a donation please visit http://www.springforsids.org/ and enter the team name 'First Colony Moms' when asked 'Team or baby's name donation is in honor of.'

Donate to Spring for SIDS

My moms' group in Sugar Land, First Colony Moms, has decided to participate in Spring for SIDS this year in memory of Kristen Clarke Reed, the 4-month-old daughter of one of our members, who passed away on March 6, 2009.

This national event is sponsored by the American SIDS Institute with the purpose of raising awareness of SIDS and raising funds for SIDS research.

If you'd like to learn more, if you'd like to start your own team to help the cause, or if you'd like to make a donation please visit http://www.springforsids.org/ and enter the team name First Colony Moms when asked 'Team or Baby's name donation is in honor of'.

A sad week

My heart has been very heavy for the past several days. An acquaintance back in Sugar Land, a fellow mom from my beloved moms' group, lost her 4-month-old baby girl to SIDS on Friday. This mom is now living her worst nightmare, my worst nightmare. The memorial service and wake are being held this afternoon, and the moms are turning out in full force to show their love and support and to fill the grieving family's freezer with enough meals for a month.

I'm heartsick for this mother that will never know her daughter as a little girl or as an adult. I'm anxious for my friends who are pregnant or have newborns and are now dealing with the panic only a worried mother can feel. I'm frustrated that my friends are troubled and I'm not there to help them. I'm grateful for the health of my own children but reminded that we have no choice in this life but to live for today because we don't ever know what tomorrow will bring. And I'm proud to be a part of this community of mothers that will not allow another mother to suffer alone.

I may physically be in Newfoundland, but my heart is in Sugar Land today.