Sids: A Parent's Guide to Understanding and Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome [Paperback]

William Sears (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1996

A clinical professor of pediatrics explains current research into this deadly illness and provides not only a practical method to identify children at risk, but also examples of how to change routine behavior to greatly reduce the chances of SIDS.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Little is known about the cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which kills 6000 children annually. Although rare, it is one of the biggest worries that new parents mention. This book by an experienced pediatrician offers a program based on current knowledge and hypothetical information from his personal observations that will minimize the risk of SIDS. Since it is a developmental disability affecting the cardiorespiratory regulatory mechanisms during sleep, Sears suggests putting the infant to sleep on its back or side in a room that is not overheated. He recommends breastfeeding, parental abstinence from smoking, carrying the infant in a sling, and having the infant sleep in the same room with the parents. He also discusses healthy grieving and coping with the loss of a child. Unlike Joanni Horchler and Robin Morris's The SIDS Survival Guide (LJ 12/94), which offers only psychological advice, this guide presents supportive techniques that promote health and bonding of parents and infants. Highly recommended for all collections.
Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co (P) (August 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316779539
• ISBN-13: 978-0316779531
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,228,319 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Sears, M.D., received his pediatric training at Harvard Medical School's Children's Hospital and Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. He has practiced as a pediatrician for more than thirty years. Martha Sears is a registered nurse, childbirth educator, and breastfeeding consultant. The Searses are the parents of eight children. Drs. Robert and James Sears are both board-certified pediatricians at the Sears Family Pediatric Practice in San Clemente, California. All four authors live in southern California. More information about the Searses can be found at www.SearsParenting.com and www.AskDrSears.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY Reassuring, January 18, 2004

By 

skinelli "skinelli" (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: SIDS: A Parent's Guide to Understanding and Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Hardcover)

Our second child had two apparent life threatening events which statistically puts her at higher risk for SIDS. We had attachment parented our first, and felt we should do the same for our daughter who we'd almost lost. Now that we've read this book, we feel even better about following our instincts in the matter. Even the specialists have been amazed at her recovery and how she's thriving. (She'll be 1 in a couple weeks.)
I wish more parents had access to this info about the ways that co-sleeping helps babies regulate their breathing, encourages breastfeeding, in addition to providing emotional comfort. Dr. Sears debunks the myth that co-sleeping causes SIDS. The only things that we KNOW lower SIDS risk are sleeping position (hence the Back to Sleep campaign)and not smoking. But many supposed SIDS prevention programs throw in not co-sleeping.

As a childbirth educator, I will mention this book and the info it contains in all of my infant care classes.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A helpful look at what parents can do to help prevent SIDS, October 3, 2006

By 

Rachael (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sids: A Parent's Guide to Understanding and Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Paperback)

It is true that no one knows exactly why SIDS happens, and Dr. Sears does not claim to be any different. He shares his own educated ideas about what MAY be behind it, and then offers possible solutions to the problem. He does not claim that following his advice will always prevent SIDS, or that all SIDS deaths could have been prevented if only the parents had been smarter--not at all.

I found this book to be very informative and reassuring. It is not the final answer to eradicating SIDS, but it is helpful.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative, November 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: SIDS: A Parent's Guide to Understanding and Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Hardcover)

This is a must read for every parent, especially since much is unknown about SIDS. The syncronization of an infant's breathing while sleeping with his/her mother is incredible. Important Note: Not much is talked about the number of babies who are killed/injured in a crib. This book addresses this important issue.