SIDS

SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is the unexplainable death of a child under the age of 1.  It is a really scary thing for a mother and father to think about, so I try not to.  Since 1992, the rates have dropped dramatically.  SIDS can be caused by several different things, second-hand smoking for one.  Most people now seem to know some of the likely causes, but it is still a very good idea for parents-to-be to do a little reading and research on SIDS to prevent it from happening to their new babies. 
The experts will warn you not to place a baby on his or her stomach while sleeping.  Babies should always sleep on their backs.  Also, nothing, this includes blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, etc., should be in the bed with a baby while he or she is sleeping.  Babies breathe much more easily lying on their backs with nothing around them to hinder the flow of oxygen.  Babies should not sleep in the bed with their parents.  Premature babies, multiples, and babies born with late or no prenatal care are also more likely to die from SIDS.
Well, we do not smoke or do drugs.  I have had wonderful prenatal care.  We are prepared to have baby Ethan sleep in a pack n' play sleeper near our bed for the first few months, and then in his crib.  We will not have anything in the crib with him, and he will be placed on his back.  He is not a preemie, as I am already 36 weeks along this Friday, and we have done some reading, talked to the doctors, and talked to the grandparents about how he should sleep. 
If you want to read about SIDS yourself, just Google it.  Here is a good website:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002533/
I try not to worry about all the possible dangerous things that could happen.  It would make me sick.  I do think about it, and will probably check to make sure he's breathing when he's sleeping sometimes.  I sometimes get a sick feeling about carrying him upstairs or driving with him in the car.  This is our first child, so the worries, fears, and joys of parenthood are all very new!  I just can't wait to have him sleeping beside our bed instead of in my belly!!