SPOTLIGHT: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, aka "Crib death"

SPOTLIGHT: CRIB DEATH (SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME)

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS

October is Safe Sleep Awareness Month, and that means making sure our youngest and most vulnerable people are sleeping without risk of suffocation or a mysterious case of SIDS.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also referred to in some cases as Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID or SUDI), cot death, or crib death, takes the lives of 3,500 infants under age 1 years in the United States. 

This is an absolutely heartbreaking essay written by a mother who lost her baby to SIDS: please steel yourself and go read it to be reminded of the blessings that we all have when our children sleep through the night safely and wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. The mysterious nature of SIDS makes these deaths exponentially tragic because there's still so much we don't know about this disorder, which can still occur even in babies who are not co-sleeping or asleep on their tummies.

This week, we spotlight recent news about SIDS with content spanning the last six months.

This week's links were published or updated been 4.29.16 and 10.14.16.

APR 29 || CAPITAL GAZETTE

County health officials: Seven infants have died of SUIDs so far in 2016, matching 2013 record

APR 29 || KUOW

Unsafe Sleep Leading Cause Of Infant Death In Washington’s Child Welfare System

MAY 6 || US NEWS & WORLD REPORT

How to Promote Safe Sleep for Your Infant

MAY 8 || GAINESVILLE TIMES

State agencies rally to prevent infants dying in sleep

MAY 10 || SLEEP REVIEW

Serotonin Reduces Apnea, Could be Clue to SIDS

MAY 11 || HEALTH NEWS REVIEW

Swaddling and SIDS: Why scary headlines got it wrong

MAY 11 || JACKSON FREE PRESS

Infant Mortality Prevention, Social Service Jobs on Budget Chop Block

MAY 11 || MIC.com

Here's The Thing About Sudden Infant Death Syndrome That No One Is Talking About

MAY 11 || TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

New initiative promotes safe newborn sleep

MAY 13 || KOMO 4 NEWS

SIDS study could connect mysterious death to inner ear problem (video)

MAY 19 || 11 ALIVE ATLANTA

First Lady helps launch Ga. 'Safe to Sleep' campaign (video)

MAY 19 || UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK

Bereaved parents should be given full details about how to reduce sudden infant death syndrome risk 

MAY 24 || IDEA STREAM

Why Do Babies Die In Their Sleep? (podcast)

MAY 24 || REUTERS

Parents who lose a baby to SIDS want more information

MAY 24 || WOOD TV

Deaths at day cares often related to unsafe sleep

MAY 27 || WEST

There is no link between vaccines and sudden infant death

JUN 1 || BUFFALO NEWS

Letter: Legislation will help reduce infant deaths

JUN 2 || THE ATLANTIC

Understanding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

JUN 2 || ROMPER

Are Infant Sleep Sacks Safe?

JUN 7 || WRAL

Simple sleeping habits can help prevent sudden infant death

JUN 24 || PARENT HERALD

Apps That Track Babies’ Bodies And Movements Give Parents ‘Peace Of Mind’

JUL 2 || INQUISITR

SIDS study reveals three factors that increase infant's risk

JUL 18 || NEWS-MEDICAL.net

What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and how many babies and toddlers die from SIDS each year?

JUL 25 || UMMID

​Covering baby's pram may lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

JUL 26 || ENGADGET

Owlet's wearable SIDS alarm isn't ready for the real world

AUG 7 || ROMPER

Is SIDS Genetic? It's Unlikely That Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Is In The Genes environments

AUG 9 || HERALD SUN

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Baby flat head fears stoking risks—research  environments

AUG 11 || THE GUARDIAN

Number of cot deaths in England and Wales falls to lowest on record environments

AUG 15 || USA TODAY

Study: Parents still put babies in risky sleep environments (video)

AUG 17 || INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – Why parents may choose to put babies in 'unsafe' sleeping positions

AUG 18 || THE NEWS & OBSERVER

Man invents device to help prevent infant death while babies sleep

AUG 18 || PARENT HERALD

Baby Safety: Safety Bed To Minimize Risk Of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

AUG 23 || SOMERSET LIVE

What is sudden infant death syndrome, and how can you prevent it?

AUG 26 || THE GUARDIAN

Back to sleep: the doctor who helped stem a cot death epidemic

AUG 29 || HERALD-MAIL MEDIA

Say YES to Safe Sleep for Babies Campaign

AUG 30 || THE GUARDIAN

Breastfeeding, air pollution and sudden infant death syndrome environments

SEPT 9 || ROMPER

7 Things You Can Do To Your Home Or Apartment To Reduce The Risk Of SIDS

SEPT 9 || WASHINGTON TIMES

County’s high infant mortality sparks concern, research

SEPT 12 || BRIGHTON-PITTSFORD POST

Rochester General Hospital named Safe Sleep Champion

SEPT 16 || LOS ANGELES TIMES

Op-Ed: It's OK to sleep next to your infant child. It's even beneficial

SEPT 17 || WDAY

Woman behind required daycare training for sudden infant death, honored at Fargodome Saturday

SEPT 27 || PARENT HERALD

Dangers Of Bed-Sharing With Babies: Alarming Rates Of Suffocation Or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Recorded

SEPT 28 || NBC-15 WMTV

Spreading awareness about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

SEPT 30 || ROMPER

Does Co-Sleeping Protect Your Kid From Illness? Many Experts Argue It Does

SEPT 30 || WTVA

Dawson’s Dream develops from mother’s worst nightmare

OCT 4 || SLEEP REVIEW

Infant Safe Sleep Practices On Rise In New York Hospitals Participating In Perinatal Study

OCT 7 || CINCINNATI.com

SIDS Cookbook spreads the love for Jean-Robert de Cavel's cause

OCT 7 || CLOSER

REVEALED: the one thing you should NEVER do with your baby's pram

OCT 7 || SHREVEPORT TIMES

October is Safe Sleep Awareness Month

OCT 8 || ACCRINGTON OBSERVER

Baby tragedy in Great Harwood was 'cot death' - inquest

OCT 8 || THE NORTHERN STAR

Young mum's 'distressing case' to bring a law change

OCT 9 || THE DAILY REPUBLIC

Revealing myths, facts about SIDS

OCT 10 || CENTRALMAINE.com

Our Opinion: Maine’s public health shortfall impacts infant mortality

OCT 10 || EMPORIA GAZETTE

Wade's Ride raises $13,000 for SIDS Prevention

OCT 10 || OHIO CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS

Ohio AAP Promotes Safe Sleep for SIDS Awareness Month

OCT 10 || ROMPER

7 Myths About SIDS That Are Putting Babies In Danger

OCT 10 || WEAU 13 NEWS

Health Beat with Dr. Alicia Arnold: SIDS - Oct. 10th (video)

OCT 11 || ECONOTIMES
SIDS Awareness Month: Know the Facts: When SIDS is Classified Wrong

OCT 11 || INDIE ONLINE
Program to cover infant sleeping safety

(Oct 24, Massillon, OH)

OCT 11 || JAMA NETWORK
Molecular Autopsy for Sudden Unexpected Death

OCT 11 || KFOR

How to create a safe sleep environment for your baby

OCT 11 || LIVERPOOL LIFE

Baby Box scheme to support parents

OCT 11 || SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE

TSRI and STSI scientists use 'molecular autopsies' to find clues to sudden death

OCT 12 || CALIFORNIA HEALTHLINE

Genetic Testing Doesn’t Always Hold The Answers To A Sudden, Unexpected Death

OCT 12 || JOHNS HOPKINS ALL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Preventing SIDS

OCT 12 || THE SUN

TELLY STARS' HEARTACHE - We were overjoyed the day our baby finally took every bottle… but she died later that night

OCT 12 || WHSV

How to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

OCT 13 || ABC NEWS AUSTRALIA

Doctors pledge to reduce rate of sudden unexpected death in children under four

OCT 13 || BEDTIMES MAGAZINE

Babies Still Sleep in High-Risk SIDS Environments

OCT 13 || DAILY POST

Brave Gwynedd mum tells of heartache of losing a child to cot death

OCT 13 || DIGITAL JOURNAL

Parent’s Rights USA provides useful information about baby care for parents

OCT 13 || HUFFINGTON POST

Living For Eddie - A Bereaved Dad’s Story

OCT 13 || MARKET WIRED

Baby's Breath: October Is SIDS Awareness Month -- Why Is Changing SIDS to "Undetermined" on Infant Death Certificates Across Canada Devastating for the SIDS Community

OCT 13 || PRWEB

Science-driven Product With a Social Mission Helps Parents Make Safer Sleep Choices

OCT 13 || THE SUN

'IT WAS SO PAINFUL' - Loose Women star Anne Diamond opens up about heart breaking loss of her son to cot death

OCT 13 || TELEGRAPH

MP moves House of Commons to tears as she shares story of the death of her baby girl Veronica

OCT 14 || KENTUCKY FORWARD

SmartHealthToday: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) — reduce the risks to protect your baby

OCT 14 || NEW ZEALAND HERALD

International Baby Loss Week: Couple who lost two children in three years

Sleep Hygiene September links for September 25 - 30

TAKE 2 TIPS AND FEEL BETTER IN THE MORNING!

Check out our Sleep Hygiene September series, in which every day in September we curate two different links related to a specific sleep hygiene concern! A hat tip to the following websites for sharing great advice and information for improving sleep hygiene:

• Cleveland Clinic
• Coveteur
• Garden Therapy
• Global Traveler USA
• Healio
• Her
• Life{Buzz}
• Long-Term Living
• PositiveMed
• Sound Sleep Health
• Vogue

9.25: Sleep Hygiene September || Take 2 Tips: Exercise now to sleep better later.

9.26: Sleep Hygiene September || Take Two Tips: Review your scrips.

9.27: Sleep Hygiene September || Take 2 Tips: Position yourself.

9.28: Sleep Hygiene September || Take 2 Tips: Take a sleep vacation.

9.29: Sleep Hygiene September || Take 2 Tips: Lavendar aromatherapy for the win!

9.30: Sleep Hygiene September || Take 2 Tips: Make sleep a priority.

SPOTLIGHT: Sleep deprivation and sleep debt

 SPOTLIGHT: SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND SLEEP DEBT

"Insufficient Sleep Is a Public Health Problem" was the headline just a little over a year ago from an article published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Have we overcome this major public health obstacle? Not really. Just a few months later, the CDC online newsroom shared this report: "1 in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep."

This week, we spotlight recent news about sleep deprivation and sleep debt (the accumulation of sleep deprivation that may never be reversed for some people). 

Be aware that regular sleep loss and habits which prevent you from getting at least 7 hours of quality of sleep a night are going to have a long-term impact on your overall health and will increase your chances for having a fatal car accident, making major mistakes at work, or suffering from relationship problems. 

This week's links were published or updated been 8.1.16 and 10.7.16.

AUG/SEPT || AARP MAGAZINE

Quest for a Good Night's Sleep Experts say Americans get an hour or two less shut-eye every night than we once did. What's keeping us up, and is there a way to make a restless nation go to bed?

AUG 4 || CHEAT SHEET

How Sleep Deprivation Can Actually Kill You

AUG 4 || DAILY MAIL

Almost three quarters of Australian teenagers are 'sleep deprived because they're addicted to their mobile phone - and many turn to drugs to cope'

AUG 4 || RICKEY.org

Modest Mouse Frontman Isaac Brock Falls Asleep at the Wheel, Causes Car Accident

AUG 4 || VAN WINKLE'S

How Sleep Affects Our Chances of Remembering ‘That One Thing We Need to Do'

AUG 9 || HUFFINGTON POST

Caffeine Can’t Help Once You Hit This Point Of Sleep Deprivation, Study Says

AUG 11 || SCIENCE NEWS

Sleep deprivation hits some brain areas hard

AUG 15 || DR. STEVEN PARK

The Walking Dead: Sleep-Deprived Zombies Are For Real || Interview with Dr. A. Joseph Borelli (podcast)

AUG 16 || STUFF.co.nz

Christchurch man's sleep deprivation may be a factor in arson of dad's house - court

AUG 18 || JOURNAL OF CLINICAL SLEEP MEDICINE

Prolonged Eyelid Closure Episodes during Sleep Deprivation in Professional Drivers (abstract)

AUG 19 || HUFFINGTON POST SLEEP + WELLNESS

4 Realistic Ways to Deal with Sleep Deprivation

AUG 23 || FORBES

A sleepless nation: What does the lack of sleep really cost us?

AUG 24 || SLEEP JUNKIES

Dumb, depressed and dangerous: The real loss of sleep loss

AUG 24 || VENICE LIFE MAGAZINE

Breast Cancer Risk Higher for Sleep Deprived Women

AUG 30 || SLEEP REVIEW 

Sleep Deprivation Harms Memory Via Loss of Connectivity Between Hippocampus Neurons

SEPT 6 || UNIVERSE (BYU)

Health officials say lack of sleep can negatively affect students' grades

SEPT 7 || FORBES

How Sleep Deprivation Affects Your Day At The Office

SEPT 7 || PHILLY.com

Waking up about sleep: A public health need, overlooked

SEPT 9 || VERGE CAMPUS

A Good Night Rest: How to Fix Your Sleep Schedule

SEPT 9 || YALE DAILY NEWS

UP CLOSE: Unhealthy sleep culture at Yale

SEPT 11 || CARE 2

We’re All in Debt…

SEPT 12 || STATE PRESS

Smart phones, stress and sleep deprivation: Your sleep problems may be both self-induced and preventable

SEPT 12 || VOGUE

The science of sleep: Why four hours isn't enough

SEPT 12 || THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

The Unexpected Ways Sleep Deprivation Makes Life Tougher

SEPT 14 || KSMU.org

Sleep Deprivation Tough to Prove in Traffic Accidents, Says Springfield PD

SEPT 19 || CBS PITTSBURGH

Study: Sleep Habits Linked To Adolescent Drug And Alcohol Use

SEPT 19 || INC.

Think You Can Stay Sharp Despite Less Sleep? You're Wrong, According to Science

SEPT 19 || REGISTER-GUARD

Trump’s lack of sleep explains it (mailbag)

SEPT 21 || THE EXPRESS

Are YOU suffering from sleep deprivation? Eight out of ten workers not getting enough kip

SEPT 21 || HUFFINGTON POST SLEEP + WELLNESS

‘Super Sleepers’ May Actually Be Sleep Deprived

SEPT 21 || KERA NEWS

Adult Gamers Sacrifice A Lot Of Shut-Eye To Keep Playing, UNTHSC Study Shows

SEPT 23 || SLEEP JUNKIES

Can you stay productive on little or no sleep? 

SEPT 23 || THE STANDARD

Jamie Oliver hires night nurse to help with sleep deprivation: ‘We got battered’

SEPT 25 || HEALTHY MOMS MAGAZINE

Say No to “You Snooze, You Lose”!

SEPT 26 || HUFFINGTON POST

The Truth About People Who Brag They Don’t Need Much Sleep

SEPT 30 || EMPLOYEE BENEFIT ADVISER

What is the big missing piece of wellness?

SEPT 27 || MADAME NOIRE

Think twice before saying "I can sleep when I die"

OCT 1 || BUSTLE

How Daylight Saving Time Affects Your Body, Because It's Almost Time To Change The Clocks Again

OCT 1 || MCKNIGHT'S

Brain can rewire after sleep deprivation, researchers say

OCT 3 || BUSINESS 2 COMMUNITY

10 Reasons To Let Your Employees Take Naps At Work [Infographic]

OCT 3 || PSYCHOLOGY TODAY

Poor Sleep May Impair the Ability to Feel Empathy

OCT 3 || SCOOP.co.nz

Safer Nursing 24/7

OCT 4 || MEDICAL DAILY

What Sleep Deprivation Does To Kids' vs. Adults’ Brains

OCT 4 || MEDICAL XPRESS

Developing brain regions in children hardest hit by sleep deprivation

OCT 4 || RADIO NZ

Doctors tell of falling asleep at wheel, making drug errors because of shifts

OCT 5 || THE FALMOUTH ENTERPRISE

Sleep Deprivation An Issue For Falmouth High Students

OCT 5 || THE NORTHERN LIGHT

Blaine police chief chimes in on new study about officer fatigue

OCT 5 || ROMPER

7 Ways Lack Of Sleep Can Affect Your Mental Health

OCT 6 || MEDICAL XPRESS

Face identification accuracy impaired by poor sleep

OCT 6 || PHILLY.com

Fitful Sleep May Take Toll on Older Women's Hearts

OCT 7 || IDEAFIT.com

The Influence of Sleep Deprivation on your Training

OCT 7 || JOURNAL OF FAMILY PRACTICE

MRI measurements reveal effects of sleep deprivation

OCT 7 || MY BEAUTY GYM

Sleepwalking Till Dawn – Effects of Lack of Sleep on Body, Brain and Performance

OCT 7 || TELEVISION AFRICA

Sleep deprivation may lower ‘good’ cholesterol

Sleep Hygiene September links for September 19 - 24

TAKE 2 TIPS AND FEEL BETTER IN THE MORNING!

Check out our Sleep Hygiene September series, in which every day in September we curate two different links related to a specific sleep hygiene concern! A hat tip to the following websites for sharing great advice and information for improving sleep hygiene:

• BT.com
• Business Insider
• Healthfinder.gov
• Care21
• Image
• The Independent
• Medical Daily
• The New York Times - Well
• New York Magazine
• Sound Sleep Health
• Tech.co

9.19: Sleep Hygiene September || Take 2 Tips: Practice bedtime rituals.

9.20: Sleep Hygiene September || Take Two Tips: Rise & Shine.

9.21: Sleep Hygiene September || Take 2 Tips: Stick to a schedule.

9.22: Sleep Hygiene September || Take 2 Tips: Rub it out.

9.23: Sleep Hygiene September || Take 2 Tips: Skip the evening nightcap.

9.24: Sleep Hygiene September || Take 2 Tips: Banish racing thoughts.

Happy 2nd Anniversary to SleepyHeadCENTRAL!

I'm so grateful for the support SHC receives from its followers, as well as the volume of sharing of its posts, the interactions I get to have with readers, and the opportunity I am afforded everyday to help ordinary people find solutions to problems with sleep... something so critical to a well-lived, healthy, happy life. 

You can expect more fun in the next year, including a yet-to-be-revealed book title for release in 2017! For those who subscribe to SHC's free, occasional newsletter, a 10 percent discount on all of its original titles for sale in 2017 is just one of the benefits. Subscribe here!

SHC is also out there on the web in all your favorite places!

Facebook - Twitter (@SleepyHeadCtrl) - Pinterest - Google+

Come find and follow SHC! Let me know what SHC has done right, what SHC has failed at, or what SHC should be doing to help you make the best healthcare decisions you can for yourself and your loved ones. I'm all ears!

Finally, we're looking to move into some new directions: 

Multimedia: If you are someone with a skill set in video editing, podcasting, or other multimedia content development, and you want to partner with us on a future project, contact me directly. 

Sponsors, angels, and volunteers: As SHC grows and expands, resources shrink. It's run chiefly by me alone, the curator, and while I can invest in services to help with this growth and expansion, I do not make any money from the production of SHC, so every expense comes out of my own pocket. 

Now is the time for me to connect with those who really believe in the SHC mission, and who want to help invest in its future. Might this be you? You could be a business owner, a doctor, a marketing expert, an artist, an activist, a caregiver... or a straight-up donor.

I have an early adopter mindset, embrace out-of-the-box thinking, and am wide open to ideas, offers, and advice. Give me a nudge!

Thank you again for your encouragement. Sleep well, everybody!

~Tamara Sellman RPSGT CCSH, curator