As a nurse how will you manage a family who has lost a baby diagnosed with SIDS

For families who have been affected by sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), it is essential that there is access to a strong support network to help them cope with the experience. Most parents have a period of grieving and may also experience feelings of guilt.

Additionally, the sudden and unexpected nature of the infant death warrants a mandatory police investigation into the cause of death, which can be very distressing for affected families.

Support within the family

Parents who have been affected by SIDS should be encouraged to be as open as possible with each other. A traumatic experience such as the loss of a child can increase stress levels and put a strain on a marriage, particularly if there are feelings of guilt or blame involved.

It is best to talk through these feelings and doubts. It can take a long time to come completely to terms with the incident and make peace with the situation. The parents and immediate family will feel the loss of the infant most acutely, so banding together to support each other is essential. Some couples may find that counseling helps to mediate the process and express feelings to each other.

Support from others

Many parents and families affected by SIDS find it comforting to talk about the experience with other individuals who have been through the same thing. It can be difficult for other people who have not been through SIDS to understand the gravity of the situation and discussing the challenges with someone who truly understands can be useful.

There are usually support groups organized in most large cities and people who live in remote locations may be able to find support in an online SIDS chat room. Additionally, some individuals may feel the need to talk through the issue with a counselor or clergy member, depending on the beliefs and needs of the individual.

In the United Kingdom, the Lullaby Trust is a service that provides advice and support for bereaved families who have been affected by SIDS, and there are similar services in other regions of the world. Additionally, the Babyloss and Sands websites have useful information available, which may help parent and families to cope with the situation.

Counseling and psychotherapy

Some individuals affected by SIDS may benefit from counseling or psychotherapy to cope with the loss of the infant. This may include support from a social worker, psychologist, nurse, psychiatrist or other health professional, either in a group or one-on-one setting.

Relaxation techniques to deal with feelings of anxiety can also be useful. Examples of these include yoga, meditation, hypnosis, biofeedback and progressive muscle relaxation.

The healing process

It is important that parents give themselves time to grieve the loss of their child and to heal. It’s normal to feel more emotional than usual, particularly during holidays and celebratory events that are usually spent with family.

As such, the best thing for affected individuals to do is to accept their feelings and allow themselves to express their emotions, both positive and negative. Healing can be a long process, but it is important for affected individuals to have hope and know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

References

  1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome/basics/coping-support/con-20020269
  2. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Sudden-infant-death-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx
  3. http://www.sidsresources.org/?page_id=604
  4. http://www.uptodate.com/contents/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids-beyond-the-basics

Further Reading

  • All Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Content
  • What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?
  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Prevention

Last Updated: Feb 27, 2019

As a nurse how will you manage a family who has lost a baby diagnosed with SIDS

Written by

Yolanda Smith

Yolanda graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of South Australia and has experience working in both Australia and Italy. She is passionate about how medicine, diet and lifestyle affect our health and enjoys helping people understand this. In her spare time she loves to explore the world and learn about new cultures and languages.

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What is the best nursing intervention for preventing sudden infant death syndrome SIDS in a newborn client?

Sleeping position and bedtime environment. According to Gilbert-Barness et al, unequivocal evidence indicates that a substantial number (by some estimates, as many as 73.7%) of deaths from SIDS can be prevented by avoiding the prone sleeping position, particularly on any type of soft bedding.

What steps you must take to ensure that you are minimizing the risks associated with SIDS and Sudi?

To reduce your baby's risk of SUDI, always put your baby to sleep on their back. Make sure your baby's face and head remains uncovered during sleep. Do not expose your baby to tobacco smoke before or after birth. Give your baby their own safe sleeping environment (safe cot, safe mattress, safe bedding).

What helps with SIDS?

Prevention.
Back to sleep. ... .
Keep the crib as bare as possible. ... .
Don't overheat your baby. ... .
Have your baby sleep in in your room. ... .
Breast-feed your baby, if possible. ... .
Don't use baby monitors and other commercial devices that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS . ... .
Offer a pacifier. ... .
Immunize your baby..

What is SIDS and how can it be prevented?

SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants 1 month to 1 year old, and remains unpredictable despite years of research. Even so, the risk of SIDS can be greatly reduced. Most important: Babies younger than 1 year old should be placed on their backs to sleep — never on their stomachs or on their sides.