Kimberly Coleman-Phox and colleagues at Kaiser Permanente’s Division of Research in Oakland, California found that infants who slept in a bedroom with a fan had a 72 percent lower risk of SIDS, also known as crib death or cot death, compared to babies sleeping in rooms without a fan.

This was regardless of sleep position. Opening a window reduced the risk by 36 percent, they added.

The researchers interviewed nearly 500 mothers, some of whom had lost infants to SIDS.

Their study, published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, speculated that ventilation prevents the pooling of carbon dioxide around a baby’s nose and mouth, decreasing the chance of breathing in exhaled air.

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which helped pay for the study, said the ventilation findings need to be confirmed by additional research.

It said there still is no substitute for the most effective means known to reduce SIDS — placing infants to sleep on their backs. Other measures include using a firm mattresses and avoiding soft bedding such as comforters, preventing overheating, and not smoking while pregnant or around babies.

Related Articles:

• Study Reveals Why Smokers’ Babies at Greater Risk of SIDS
• Study: Lack Of Tummy Time Could Mean Developmental Delay in Babies
• Tips For Keeping Your Nursery and House ‘Baby Safe’

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Australian researchers are now saying that this idea may be nothing more than an old wives’ tale.

A study by the Australian National University’s centre for mental health research found that there is no evidence to suggest that impending motherhood affects a woman’s cognitive ability.

The research is based on analysis of interviews with 2,500 women aged between 20 and 24 first undertaken in 1999 and again later in 2003 and 2007.

It found that the 76 women who were pregnant during the second or third interviews scored no differently on logic and memory tests than previously.

“And there were no differences between them and control women,” Professor Helen Christensen, who led the research, told AFP.

“It really leaves the question open as to why (pregnant) women think they have poor memories when the best evidence we have is that they don’t.”

Christensen said while it was possible the tests were unable to pick up subtle changes in the brain, it seemed more likely that women blamed pregnancy for minor lapses because it was foremost in their mind at the time.

I will have to disagree with this study. Even though I am doing well with this pregnancy, my brain WAS a big pile of mush during my last one.

Related Articles:

• Study Reveals Why Smokers’ Babies at Greater Risk of SIDS
• Get Post Pregnancy Tummy Support With Belly Bandit
• Study: Mothers Bond Better with Babies Born Naturally
• STUDY: Breast Feeding Releases A Bonding Hormone

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Sean weighed 2 pounds, 13 ounces at birth. He had severe heart, lung and intestinal complications. Doctors did not think he would survive. In a Documentary featuring the Phoenix Children’s Hospital, directed my Academy Award winner Cynthia Wade takes you through this amazing baby’s journey.

For those who have never seen an extremely premature baby, this video is an eye opener.

It also spotlights the amazing work that dedicated health professionals are doing.

For more information and to see the entire series, go to www.pchhandprints.org.