Did anyone watch the news tonight about SIDS?

[NicMom]

Did any of you catch the news today about SIDS. While the number of babies that have died from SIDS has gone down since the Back to sleep campaign they are still looking for other causes. Apparently there is a group of people that think serotonin levels might have something to do with it.

A little annoying that they don't specify if it was lower or higher levels. I assume lower, but guess we'll just have to wait and see. Isn't serotonin effected by sunlight?

Just wondering what everyone thinks about this.

Cheers!

[NicMom]

Thanks Ashelen! I wasn't sure about that.

We had to have our baby sleep on her tummy for about a month because of really bad reflux. After that she was on her side or back until she could roll around. The only other thing I do is to not put any bedding in her crib other than the sheet. We even took out the bumpers. It's great to think that there may some day be better medical tests to indicate a risk of SIDS.

[Ashelen]

you're definitely supposed to make them sleep on their back, BUT if they have trouble they can sleep on their sides....aly79 try buying those sleeper wedges (very safe) that can adjust so you can prop him on his side and it'll keep him from rolling over.

and no serotonin is not linked to sunlight, that's melatonin :). serotonin is what causes depression, weight gain, sleep problems, etc. they say it's a part of the system that regulates breathing, anxiety, and heart rate as well, although they're not sure. basically what I get out of all of this is that they're assuming that low levels of serotonin not only depress you emotionally, but it physically depresses your system which causes weaker breathing which, of course, in a baby can be deadly.

idk but I agree that it's fascinating and I hope they continue to study this!!!

[Sunkissed19]

i thought this was interesting as well so i looked it up

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20100202/low-serotonin-levels-may-be-key-to-sids

this article helped me make a lot more sense out of the whole thing. I'm personally excited about the breakthrough because with further development they may be able to come up with screening or testing for SIDS...which is amazing. i hope they continue with where theyre going with this. it sounds promising.

[aly79]

i didn't see that one the news do you have a link or something so could watch/read about it its really good info to know its really hard for Elliott to sleep on his back he cant lay flat or he pukes(doesn't matter if he just ate or hasn't eaten for a few hrs) not sure if its a stage or if he will have this all the time so for now he sleeps in his swing i know bad but its the only way i can get him to sleep

[NicMom]

Correction... it was linked to low levels of serotonin levels. I missed that part at first.