Abbie
Answer
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As the name implies, SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant who is younger than 1 year old. It is a frightening prospect because it can strike without warning, usually in a seemingly healthy infant. Most SIDS deaths are associated with sleep (hence the common reference to "crib death"), and infants who die of SIDS show no signs of suffering.
While most conditions or diseases usually are diagnosed by the presence of specific symptoms, most SIDS diagnoses come only after all other possible causes of death have been ruled out through a review of the infant's medical history and environment. This review helps distinguish true SIDS deaths from those resulting from accidents, abuse, and previously undiagnosed conditions, such as cardiac or metabolic disorders.
When considering which babies could be most at risk, no single risk factor is likely to be sufficient to cause a SIDS death. Rather, several risk factors combined may contribute to cause an at-risk infant to die of SIDS.
Most deaths due to SIDS occur between 2 and 4 months of age, and incidence increases during cold weather. African-American infants are twice as likely and Native American infants are about three times more likely to die of SIDS than caucasian infants. More boys than girls fall victim to SIDS.
Other potential risk factors include:
smoking, drinking, or drug use during pregnancy
poor prenatal care
prematurity or low birth-weight
mothers younger than 20
smoke exposure following birth
overheating from excessive sleepwear and bedding
stomach sleeping
Stomach sleeping. Foremost among these risk factors is stomach sleeping. Numerous studies have found a higher incidence of SIDS among babies placed on their stomachs to sleep than among those sleeping on their backs or sides. Some researchers have hypothesized that stomach sleeping puts pressure on a child's jaw, therefore narrowing the airway and hampering breathing.
Another theory is that stomach sleeping can increase an infant's risk of "rebreathing" his or her own exhaled air, particularly if the infant is sleeping on a soft mattress or with bedding, stuffed toys, or a pillow near the face. In that scenario, the soft surface could create a small enclosure around the baby's mouth and trap exhaled air. As the baby breathes exhaled air, the oxygen level in the body drops and carbon dioxide accumulates. Eventually, this lack of oxygen could contribute to SIDS.
Also, infants who succumb to SIDS may have an abnormality in the arcuate nucleus, a part of the brain that may help control breathing and awakening during sleep. If a baby is breathing stale air and not getting enough oxygen, the brain usually triggers the baby to wake up and cry. That movement changes the breathing and heart rate, making up for the lack of oxygen. But a problem with the arcuate nucleus could deprive the baby of this involuntary reaction and put him or her at greater risk for SIDS.
Searching for Answers
As the name implies, SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant who is younger than 1 year old. It is a frightening prospect because it can strike without warning, usually in a seemingly healthy infant. Most SIDS deaths are associated with sleep (hence the common reference to "crib death"), and infants who die of SIDS show no signs of suffering.
While most conditions or diseases usually are diagnosed by the presence of specific symptoms, most SIDS diagnoses come only after all other possible causes of death have been ruled out through a review of the infant's medical history and environment. This review helps distinguish true SIDS deaths from those resulting from accidents, abuse, and previously undiagnosed conditions, such as cardiac or metabolic disorders.
When considering which babies could be most at risk, no single risk factor is likely to be sufficient to cause a SIDS death. Rather, several risk factors combined may contribute to cause an at-risk infant to die of SIDS.
Most deaths due to SIDS occur between 2 and 4 months of age, and incidence increases during cold weather. African-American infants are twice as likely and Native American infants are about three times more likely to die of SIDS than caucasian infants. More boys than girls fall victim to SIDS.
Other potential risk factors include:
smoking, drinking, or drug use during pregnancy
poor prenatal care
prematurity or low birth-weight
mothers younger than 20
smoke exposure following birth
overheating from excessive sleepwear and bedding
stomach sleeping
Stomach sleeping. Foremost among these risk factors is stomach sleeping. Numerous studies have found a higher incidence of SIDS among babies placed on their stomachs to sleep than among those sleeping on their backs or sides. Some researchers have hypothesized that stomach sleeping puts pressure on a child's jaw, therefore narrowing the airway and hampering breathing.
Another theory is that stomach sleeping can increase an infant's risk of "rebreathing" his or her own exhaled air, particularly if the infant is sleeping on a soft mattress or with bedding, stuffed toys, or a pillow near the face. In that scenario, the soft surface could create a small enclosure around the baby's mouth and trap exhaled air. As the baby breathes exhaled air, the oxygen level in the body drops and carbon dioxide accumulates. Eventually, this lack of oxygen could contribute to SIDS.
Also, infants who succumb to SIDS may have an abnormality in the arcuate nucleus, a part of the brain that may help control breathing and awakening during sleep. If a baby is breathing stale air and not getting enough oxygen, the brain usually triggers the baby to wake up and cry. That movement changes the breathing and heart rate, making up for the lack of oxygen. But a problem with the arcuate nucleus could deprive the baby of this involuntary reaction and put him or her at greater risk for SIDS.
Infant home daycare center?
mrs.v
I'd like to start watching infants/toddlers in my home. Max number of kids-- 3. I'd only except kids aged 0-2. It'd be in my home. I'm experienced with references and child/infant CPR/First Aid certified. I live in Ft. Hood Tx. How much should I charge per infant? And what kinds of equipment should I have on hand before I even advertise? Thanks in advance
It's a military town so most likely 5:30 am to 5:30 or 6, sometimes later in the evenings. Any activities for babies?
Answer
I have been a licensed child care provider in my home in Michigan for 20 years. The first thing you should do is check with your state to see what licensing requirements are in place for caring for unrelated children in your home. In Michigan, if you care for unrelated children in your home on a regular basis you must be licensed by the state which is overseen by the Department of Human Services. For us, babies under the age of 18 months are considered infants and one care giver may only have 2 children in this age group at any one time. The fee you charge is going to depend a lot on what your area can support. Also, will you want only full-time families or will you accept part-time as well? Each child care home and center in our state is free to set their own rates. Some charge by the hour, some by the day or 1/2 day, some by the week. I currently only provide part-time care and I charge by the hour since my families' schedules are flexible and changeable. I charge $3/hour/child, which in our county is on the low end of the fee scale. A child care center I know charges $54/day and $30/half-day for infants. Another family home provider I know charges $100/week. Basic large equipment pieces you should have include at least one porta-crib/pack-n-play and a high chair. A double/twin stroller is nice for walks and getting outside daily. An infant swing, an exercise seat, and a bouncer seat are also nice to have. Age appropriate toys that are easily washed/sanitized, such as teething rings and rattles are easy to pick up at dollar stores and yard sales or on sale at places like K-Mart and Target. I provide wipes plus I keep extra diapers on hand. After a child turns 1 I provide all food and beverages. Prior to age 1 parents bring formula/breast milk and baby food. A play mat or a colorful quilt for babies to use for floor play and "tummy time" is helpful. Lots of board books, some children's music CD's, and a couple children's DVD's are good for some quiet time. I have sippy cups, bowls, plates, silverware, and bibs for everyone. For infants, I always have parents bring to leave at my house an extra bottle, pacifier, can of formula, and any other item specific to their child's needs (such as diaper rash cream) that may inadvertently be forgotten in the diaper bag while getting ready on a hectic morning. I keep extra sweat pants and t-shirts handy in various sizes for accidents. I also have a crib sheet and a blanket for each child since they share the cribs. I have a changing table in my bathroom that is very useful. I have one shelf in my hall closet where I keep all items for daycare plus a shelf and a cupboard in my kitchen with food and dishes plus all my paper work related to daycare. I have information cards, permission slips, and a notebook to keep track of who is in care on which days and during which times. I also keep receipts and keep track of mileage for specific daycare trips such as grocery shopping, banking, training and classes, plus the occassional picking up and dropping off of children. I don't do field trips. Look in your phone book in the yellow pages under child care services to see if you have a Child Care Referral Service in your area. They can be a resource to you in beginning a child care business.
I have been a licensed child care provider in my home in Michigan for 20 years. The first thing you should do is check with your state to see what licensing requirements are in place for caring for unrelated children in your home. In Michigan, if you care for unrelated children in your home on a regular basis you must be licensed by the state which is overseen by the Department of Human Services. For us, babies under the age of 18 months are considered infants and one care giver may only have 2 children in this age group at any one time. The fee you charge is going to depend a lot on what your area can support. Also, will you want only full-time families or will you accept part-time as well? Each child care home and center in our state is free to set their own rates. Some charge by the hour, some by the day or 1/2 day, some by the week. I currently only provide part-time care and I charge by the hour since my families' schedules are flexible and changeable. I charge $3/hour/child, which in our county is on the low end of the fee scale. A child care center I know charges $54/day and $30/half-day for infants. Another family home provider I know charges $100/week. Basic large equipment pieces you should have include at least one porta-crib/pack-n-play and a high chair. A double/twin stroller is nice for walks and getting outside daily. An infant swing, an exercise seat, and a bouncer seat are also nice to have. Age appropriate toys that are easily washed/sanitized, such as teething rings and rattles are easy to pick up at dollar stores and yard sales or on sale at places like K-Mart and Target. I provide wipes plus I keep extra diapers on hand. After a child turns 1 I provide all food and beverages. Prior to age 1 parents bring formula/breast milk and baby food. A play mat or a colorful quilt for babies to use for floor play and "tummy time" is helpful. Lots of board books, some children's music CD's, and a couple children's DVD's are good for some quiet time. I have sippy cups, bowls, plates, silverware, and bibs for everyone. For infants, I always have parents bring to leave at my house an extra bottle, pacifier, can of formula, and any other item specific to their child's needs (such as diaper rash cream) that may inadvertently be forgotten in the diaper bag while getting ready on a hectic morning. I keep extra sweat pants and t-shirts handy in various sizes for accidents. I also have a crib sheet and a blanket for each child since they share the cribs. I have a changing table in my bathroom that is very useful. I have one shelf in my hall closet where I keep all items for daycare plus a shelf and a cupboard in my kitchen with food and dishes plus all my paper work related to daycare. I have information cards, permission slips, and a notebook to keep track of who is in care on which days and during which times. I also keep receipts and keep track of mileage for specific daycare trips such as grocery shopping, banking, training and classes, plus the occassional picking up and dropping off of children. I don't do field trips. Look in your phone book in the yellow pages under child care services to see if you have a Child Care Referral Service in your area. They can be a resource to you in beginning a child care business.
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