Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the number one cause of infant deaths.  This term is used when infants die without any reason or cause.  Most deaths due to SIDS occur between 2 and 4 months of age, and incidence increases during cold weather.  There is a lot research for SIDS; however, there is no one factor that leads to SIDS.  Therefore, parents should monitor children closely in the first four months.  

 

SIDS is high in South Africa.  This is attributed to poor nutrition and a lack of medical resources such as prenatal care.

Birthing Experience

My daughter had a baby two years ago.  I went to hospital with her and she was scheduled to be there at 7:00 in the morning for a C-section.  In my childbearing days, I did not have the luxory of scheduling the birth.  I knew that I was about to go into labor when my water broke and I had labor pains. Today, a growin number of women get C-sections instead of natural birth.  I think that this has an affect on parent and the child.  I think that parents are more connected to the child at birth when they have natural birth.  The C-section makes it so mechanical and easy.  As a result, young mothers do not experience the pain of child birth.  Also, I worry that taking babies early may have an effect on the child.