As an infant teacher for the last several years, SIDS is the one thing that concerns me the most. While we still don’t know for sure what causes this syndrome much as has been learned about things that can help lower the chances. I feel a great sense or responsibility already by just being the children’s teacher, knowing that their health is in my hands as well only adds to the pressure I feel to do the very best I can.

In the center that I work for, we follow the NAEYC guidelines and the Back to Sleep Campaign. All children are put in their beds on their backs and are checked on frequently. In addition we do not allow infants to sleep in swings or bouncy chairs that could inhibit their ability to have free body movement as well as an open air passage. We also have a fan circulating air in the nap room, don’t allow anything in the crib with the infants and recommend pacifiers.

I found it very interesting that the recommendations for prevention of SIDS are pretty much worldwide. It seems that this is a problem that we are willing to tackle as a whole with very little debate. On the other side of the coin however, I found that there are a wide number of products on the market claiming to reduce the chance of SIDS. I guess free interprise and the opportunity to cash in on fear is still alive and well throughout the world.