Terrified of SIDS

I cannot imagine what it is like for a parent to lose their baby.  But to lose a baby suddenly, without known cause, this fear envelopes nearly all my parenting choices.   I can't count how many times I've had to check to make sure she's still breathing or hasn't pulled her blanket over her face, rolled over to her tummy, or some other risk factor that requires I rush in quietly to fix.

I've read a lot about risk factors and how to reduce the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS.  What the main cause seems to really boil down to is lack of oxygen and sleeping too deeply.  Babies sleeping on their tummies, pulling blankets over their face, burrowing into pillows, soft mattresses, or bumper pads, and being too warm are all risk factors.  But there is one other probable factor and that is simply failure to thrive.

Just when I think I've got all the risk factors under control I learn about a new one.  Last night for no apparent reason she was sweating.  She felt clammy.  I took her temperature.  A little up but nothing for alarm.  And then I did a little internet research.  Big mistake.  What do I find?  Sweating is a risk factor for SIDS, because sweating can indicate a heart problem.

These articles are never indepth enough.  So it meant a light sleep for me last night as I worried my baby might not wake up.  When in all reality she was probably just hot.  She did just get a possible heat rash on her belly the other day.

Bottom line, some things we can't control.  Do all that you can to reduce the chance of SIDS.  And then stop worrying.  Easier said than done.