I'm guessing you are a first time mom - although maybe this isn't the case. But first time mothers are a little more anxious about their babies just because it's all so new and overwhelming and they're so sleep-deprived that their imaginations run amok. Please keep in mind that almost all babies survive their infancy! Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is not a common occurrence. You can help bring your emotions in line with this knowledge by taking the Bach Flower Remedy called "red chestnut" - it's the remedy for those who are intensely worried about the welfare of their loved ones (and, understandably, it is frequently taken by mothers!). Also, if you can stay asleep a few more hours, your anxiety will probably drop just from that. However, you can also reduce your anxiety by doing everything you can to reduce the likelihood that your baby will succumb to SIDS. For instance, you can put your baby to sleep on her back, since this position has been found to reduce the incidence of SIDS. Keeping the baby's room at a slightly cooler temperature reduces SIDS as well. In fact, keeping the baby herself a little cooler is beneficial - so don't overheat your child with lots of clothing or blankets. Babies do best sleeping on a plain fitted sheet with nothing more than a light receiving blanket or, preferrably, no blanket at all - just leave her in a sleeper or one of those new sleepbags (especially designed to prevent SIDS). Keep toys, pillows and quilts out of the crib altogether. Some recent studies show that babies who sleep with pacifiers have lower rates of SIDS. Babies of smokers have higher rates of SIDS, so if you smoke - don't! After you've done all you can do to increase your child's safety, you should just try to relax and hand it over to God. We're not in control of everything!     Sarah Chana

I found it reassuring to learn that 90% of SIDS cases occur by the time a baby is 6 months old. That helped me stop worrying when my baby turned 6 months.

My baby doesn't seem to like sleeping on his back. In the middle of the night I find that he's rolled onto his tummy. I don't know what to do about it.

I had the same problem but my doctor told me that by the time a baby can roll over by himself, he is less likely to get SIDS because his head and neck are stronger and he breathes better.

Is swaddling safe for babies? I'm afraid to make my baby too hot because I know that overheating isn't good for SIDS. But my baby loves to be swaddled and sleeps better that way. Does anyone know the facts on this?

Swaddling is great for the first couple of months and they even make special swaddling blankets (so you don't have to worry about how to fold the blanket properly and the baby can't get out of it). We learned at our prenatal class that there is no relationship between swaddling and SIDS. The baby can't smother itself when swaddled because it can't move or roll into anything - it's very safe. As for overheating - just keep the room at 68 degrees or even a little less if your swaddling blanket is warm.

I encourage all of you to read about the basics of Safe Sleep.  Baby sleeps safest on his or her back, alone, in a safe crib in the same room as Mom.  The crib/bassinet should not have anything in it but a fitted sheet and baby.  Ideally, there is no blankets, pillows, bumpers, stuffed animals or any other type of soft bedding.  Baby should have on a wearable blanket or feety jammies rather than a loose blanket.  Swaddling is OK in the first month or so if baby prefers.  Simply make certain that the clothing underneath is adjusted so that baby doesn't get too warm and that the swaddling does not go above baby's shoulder.  Breastfeeding is best.  A pacifier if baby will take it for sleep.  Plenty of tummy time when baby is awake and observed.  Never let anyone smoke around your baby.

Once baby can freely roll from front to back and back to front, place baby on his or her back to sleep but let them adopt whatever position they prefer.  At that point, baby can be moved to his or her own bedroom if you wish.

Remember, most babies live!  Enjoy your baby. 

MY 3 MONTH OLD SON DIED OF SIDS AND HE WAS IN MY ARMS AS WELL.  I HAVE HAD TWO CHILDREN SINCE THEN AND THEY ARE JUST FINE.  YOU CAN BRING YOUR BABY INTO YOUR ROOM IN A BASSINET MAYBE AND HAVE THEM RIGHT BESIDE YOU SO YOU CAN FEEL ANYTIME YOU GET THE URGE.  THIS IS THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO GET ANY SLEEP EVEN THOUGH IT WAS INTERUPPTED OCCAISIONALLY; THAT WAS FINE WITH ME.  THE ODDS ARE WITH YOU NOW BECAUSE YOUR BABY IS GETTING OLDER.  I HOPE THIS HELPS

I wouldn't stop worrying until they were about 2 years old.