Petrified of SID

[Debz2020]

Hi there this is my first time posting, I am sending myself stir crazy and don’t know what to do, my DD is nearly 10 month old and day and night all I think about is SIDS. I keep myself awake at night scared to go to sleep incase she doesn’t wake up in the morning. I have a snuza alarm for her, her cot is next to my bed, makes it worse my constant googling which I know doesn’t help but can’t help it. Didn’t know where else to turn for support and hoping someone can help me put this into some sort of perspective as feel I’m having a bit of a break down 🥲 I suffer from depression and have been medicated for long time even through the pregnancy, unsure if I am suffering from PND thought my medication would help or someone would pick up on it or am I just being a normal mother.

No. It's not normal for SIDS to be all you think about, especially at ten months.

I think you probably need to go back to your GP. Your needs for your medication or support may have changed. At any rate, you're having a terribly hard time so it's time to make sure you access as much support as possible.

This sounds really hard .

It sounds like you are worrying far too much. I think it is common to have worries, but not for them to last a long time. I agree you maybe need some more support from your GP. Also speaking to a counsellor who understands issues around babies/motherhood might help.

Hello, I haven’t been on here for a while but your post made me re-register as I felt like this after the birth of my son 4 years ago.
What you describe sounds very similar to my experience of post natal anxiety, PND’s rather unwelcome friend that’s less talked about but equally common. It can be triggered by high levels of prolactin which are naturally elevated after giving birth, and the tricky thing is it can be once a vicious circle as anxiety can raise prolactin levels.
You absolutely should contact your GP to discuss, and in addition ask to be referred to a perinatal mental health team. Tell them exactly how you’re feeling, all the thoughts you’re having. They’ll be able to offer you advice and options to help you overcome these heightened fears.
Well done for reaching out too- you must be exhausted

Please go back to the GP OP. This isn’t normal, no.

I was also terrified of SIDS. Every time my DD went to sleep, I thought she might not wake up. It was horrible. I was constantly highly anxious and couldn’t relax. I remember the HV, saying ‘sleep when your baby sleeps’ to me once and just thinking that there was no way I could do that because I needed to be watching her.

I didn’t seek help and I dearly, dearly wish that I had. My first year with DD wasn’t enjoyable at all really as I was so worried all the time.

Is it normal for SIDS to stop you sleeping at night?

Yes, I struggled after both my births and would frequently wake up in a blind panic in the early hours to check they were/are breathing but it’s not normal to still feel this way at 10 months.

I have a 17mo DS, my fear of SIDS depleted almost entirely by 6 months as that’s then statistically the risk becomes tiny.
My DD is only 10 weeks so I’m still in the waking up panicking stage but I think that’s normal.
I would suggest you speak to your GP or HV as it sounds like you might have got fixated on it and by 10 months you need to regain some peace of mind, it’s exhausting being so worried xx

Hi lovely. How are you doing today? Sounds like your are struggling with your mood. I'd really encourage you speak with your health visitor/ health professional. There is loads of support for pnd, but once your 12 month post natal your back in the adult MH system. So please do reach out for help ASAP.

Take care of yourself lovely. 🌸