On my very first date with my boyfriend, he was very hesitant to tell me why he said his week "wasn't going that great". I probed a little further and come to find out he had just attended the funeral of his roomate's baby girl who had just passed from SIDS. honestly....anyone else who he was on a first date with probably wouldn't appreciate talking about the death of a baby....but what are the chances that I, a NICU nurse, would be there on that specific day on a date with him and talk with him about this heavy topic? It touched me and hurt my heart so much to hear yet another baby passed away due to this devastating infant tragedy. I have had conversations with his ex-roomate about the loss of his daughter. He is my hero for going through what he has and still continuing to press forward. We all have so much to learn about SIDS.
One of the most amazing families that supports our NICU at UCSD lost their baby isabella to SIDS. Please check out their website for more information. I didn't personally know isabella's family when they were in our NICU, but another one of my patients, daisy, brought them into my life : )
While doing a quick SIDS search, i found some really interesting stories about different families that have chosen to blog and share their SIDS stories. Click on these links to learn more about baby maddie and baby macie and how their families have chosen to spread the word, information and their stories.
On the topic of neonatal death and its connection to photography, now i lay me down to sleep is a really inspiring organization that i've been interested in ever since working as a nurse in the NICU. someday, I would love to volunteer my services for them. check out their site and how this free photography service can help families going through such tragedy. Sometimes families think they're not interested in photography of their baby after it has passed, but looking back, those families that do choose to have pictures taken say that there is nothing more valuable than those memories and they're so glad that they had them taken.
My NICU families mean so much to me and i am so grateful for the things they allow me to teach them. In return, the love and lessons they have taught me will stay with me forever.
If you decide not to click on any of the links in my blog please read a few of the important facts regarding SIDS. So many of you have babies, are grandparents, watch the babies of others, or want to be parents soon. This information is so useful!
SIDS overview for infants less than 1 year old.
~ back to sleep!
~ take all of the "stuff" out of the crib. no stuffed animals, pillows, loose or thick blankets.
~one fitted blanket covering a firm mattress only
~no blanket above chest level
~evidence is compelling that pacifier use is shown to decrease SIDS
~don't overheat babies. light sleapwear and comfortable room temperature
~NO bedsharing for risk of suffocation.
~Smoking increases risk of SIDS
~tummy time promotes optimal motor development
(all information from AAP and NICHD)
