Ceiling Fans Reduce Sids

October 10, 2008

Scientists have found a new weapon in the battle against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: a ceiling fan.

Children who slept in a room ventilated by a fan had a 72 percent lower chance of dying from SIDS vs. those who did not, according to a study published this month in the journal Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.

SIDS is the leading cause of death among children below the age of 1, experts say. Scientists haven't pinpointed an exact cause of the syndrome, but one of the major suspicions is that infants smother themselves by breathing exhaled carbon dioxide.

The study also said that opening a window in the child's room reduces SIDS risk by 36 percent, according to the authors at the Kaiser Permanente's Division of Research in Oakland.

Previously known SIDS precautions include having infants sleep on their backs, placing them on firm mattresses, avoiding use of soft quilts and comforters and not smoking around them.

October 10, 2008

Thanks for the info! I guess having his ceiling fan going makes up for the fact that he is a tummy sleeper :) hehe

October 11, 2008

thank you kelli i dont have children yet but dh and i are trying and that worries me so much my sister parred away from sids 34 years ago she was a year old so thats one of my biggest worries thank you so muck for the info

October 11, 2008

You're welcome..it was on the Today Show..thought it was interesting!

October 11, 2008

Kelli, thanks for posting this, i hope all the moms and soon to be moms read this as SIDS is so devastating.

i will definitely be keeping the fan on low and having the window open when i can (she'll be born in November though, so this can't go on too long).

i just had an infant cpr class tonight and we talked about this very same thing, except she didn't mention anything about the excess carbon dioxide.

thanks again!!

October 11, 2008

We have used a box fan set on medium since pretty much day one. It doesn't face the crib, it faces away from him but it does circulate the air in the room and Cameron is a belly sleeper too. We use the fan for "white noise" but am glad to know it's also helping protect him :) I know that studies have also shown the SIDS is also from a baby overheating while sleeping.

October 12, 2008

Your welcome, guys. I've also read that pacifiers reduce sids as well.

October 12, 2008

Yep I read that too Kelli :)

October 13, 2008

Good info! The ceiling fan in the room that will eventually be our nursery needs replacing & I was just this past week wondering if I should just go with a light fixture instead; guess that answers that question :)

October 13, 2008

I dont have a ceiling fan, but I did ask the pediatrician about using a box fan, he said if you aim it at the ceiling on medium- it has the same exact effect !

:) Thanks for posting Kelli!

October 13, 2008

This is very nice to know!!! GREAT post!

October 13, 2008

I have a ceiling fan but I'm afraid it'll get to drafty with the colder weather here now. So I use a box fan on medium set on top of the dresser facing kiddy corner :) The white noise is great too from it :)

October 14, 2008

Sarr222, most ceiling fans have a reverse switch on the side that allows the air to be pulled upwards instead of blowing down, keeping air circulating without the "wind". I remeber my dad always turned ours to reverse in the winter as we all have sinus issues & keeping the air moving is a good way to get some relief.

I get the need for the white noise though, DH & I keep a humidifier in our bedroom & we cannot sleep without it now cause the room is too quiet, lol!

October 14, 2008

ohhhh, I'll have to look at that, thanks!