Researchers at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in California have also announced that their findings indicate “using a fan while a baby is sleeping appears to significantly cut the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)” by as much 94 percent, according to a Wall Street Journal article. Though the exact cause of SIDS remains unknown, the research results are consistent with a theory that the fatal condition might result from babies re-inhaling “ exhaled carbon dioxide trapped near their airways from bedding or sleeping on their stomachs.” Heretofore the primary preventative measure advised by doctors was to always place sleeping infants on their back, but this new advice, along with using a pacifier and keeping windows open now seem to be the most sensible advice for avoiding tragedy.
