SIDS and Infant Death Survival Guide: Information and Comfort for Grieving Family and Friends and Professionals Who Seek to Help Them. Third edition.
Horchler JN, Rice R.
Cheverly, MD: SIDS Educational Services. 2003. 320 p.
SIDSSurvivalGuide.org | Purchase Page
Description:
This book, written by and for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and infant death survivors, addresses the issues facing family members, friends, and helping professionals who must deal with the death of an infant from SIDS. Chapter 1 provides the definition of SIDS and presents basic information about who is at risk, incidence, possible causes, and whether or not SIDS is avoidable. This chapter also includes an experts perspective on SIDS and other infant deaths by Rachel Y. Moon, and a personal account and political history of SIDS by C. Griffin Sheehan. Chapter 2 describes feelings and experiences SIDS parents commonly have in the first few weeks and months of grief. This chapter also includes poetry by bereaved parents and personal accounts written by parents of SIDS infants that describe the circumstances surrounding their infants' deaths and the aftermath. Chapter 3 contains writings that focus on anger and guilt, and chapter 4 presents poems and writings that ask God the questions “Why My Baby? Why Me?” Chapters 5 through 8 present personal accounts, writings, and poems that address grief from the point of view of fathers, siblings, grandparents, and child care providers of SIDS infants. Chapters 9 through 18 address the following topics: how to be a friend to SIDS parents and other survivors; planning the funeral and the role of the clergy; learning to live again; surviving anniversaries and holidays; the benefits of contact with other SIDS parents; the role of public health nurses and grief counselors; guidelines for emergency medical responders; interviews with a paramedic and two homicide detectives; an account of parents suspected of child abuse when twins died of SIDS; the role of the medical examiner in SIDS cases; subsequent children and the question of home monitoring; guilt and risk reduction; dreams and premonitions among SIDS parents; surviving and moving forward; and more stories, poems, and letters. A list of national and international organizations that provide counseling, research data, and grants on SIDS and related topics is appended.
Available from:
SIDS Educational Services
2905 64th Ave.
Cheverly, MD 20785
(877) 935-6839 or (301) 322-2620
(301) 322-9822 (Fax)
Email: S I D S E S @ a o l . c o m
http://www.sidssurvivalguide.org
Empty Cradle, Broken Heart
Davis D.
Fulcrum Publishing; Revised & enlarged edition (1996)
Publisher's Homepage | Purchase Page
Description:
The heartache of miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death affects thousands of U.S. families every year. Empty Cradle, Broken Heart offers reassurance to parents who struggle with anger, guilt, and despair after such tragedy. Deborah Davis encourages grieving and makes suggestions for coping. The book includes information on issues such as the death of one or more babies from a multiple birth, pregnancy interruption, and the questioning of aggressive medical intervention. There is also a special chapter for fathers as well as a chapter on "protective parenting" to help anxious parents enjoy their precious living children. Doctors, nurses, relatives, friends, and other support persons can gain special insight. Most importantly, parents facing the death of a baby will find necessary support in this gentle guide. If reading this book moves you to cry, try to accept this reaction. Your tears merge with those of other grieving parents. You are not alone!
Not Just Another Day: Families, Grief and Special Days.
Throckmorton ML.
Omaha, NE: Centering Corporation. 2003. 16 p.
Publisher's Homepage | Purchase Page
Description:
The special days in the year are often the most difficult ones for bereaved families. This booklet provides suggestions to help families face birthdays, anniversaries, Hanukkah, and Christmas without a loved one. Although younger children tend to be comforted by family traditions, older children and adults may want to make a break with tradition on the holidays after a loved one has died. Families should feel free to start new traditions if they choose, or to combine some of the old with the new. Children may be especially anxious about approaching holidays. It is helpful for parents to know how children cope with grief and how these feelings may intensify around special days. The booklet suggests different ways in which parents can support their children as special days draw near, and stresses that both parents and children need to take extra good care of themselves during these times because grief often produces strong emotional and physical reactions. Ways in which families can keep healthy during grief-filled days are as follows: do relaxation exercises, eat healthful foods, exercise vigorously on a regular basis, and maintain household routines. The booklet includes descriptions of childrens' grief patterns at ages 0 to 2, 3 to 5, 5 to 9, 9 to 12, and 12 to 18. Includes helpful resources.
Available from:
Centering Corporation
PO Box 4600
Omaha, NE 68104
(402) 553-1200
(402) 553-0507 (Fax)
E-mail: c e n t e r i n g @ c e n t e r i n g . o r g
http://www.centering.org
Flying Hugs and Kisses. (Available In Spanish)
Sample J.
Stillwater, OK: Newforums Press. 2010. 40 p.
Publisher's Homepage | Purchase Page
Description:
Flying Hugs and Kisses is a great resource for families with children who have lost a baby to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The book is about five children who creatively take on roles of support toward each other while showing their individual feelings about the death of their baby brother to SIDS.
Creating a New Normal ... After the Death of a Child
Fox S.
Bloomington, IN: iUniverse. 2010. 308 p.
Publisher's Homepage | Purchase Page
Description:
Creating a New Normal...After the Death of a Child will help the newly bereaved as well as the seasoned griever find their way through the darkness and into the light again to a life full of happiness and new meaning.
- Learn a variety of coping and informational skills to help any bereaved parent as they move through the grief process.
- Read up to 80 articles dealing with topics such as anger, journaling, taking care of yourself, making a marriage work, childless issues, preserving a child's memory, grief triggers, confronting negative statements, workplace grief, signs from our children, the importance of rituals and many more.
- Identify how to get through the various holidays
- Read 10 inspirational stories that let you see how others cope
- Go through grief book descriptions and purchase information
- Delve into the abundant resource section listing many general and specific support groups, web sites and chat rooms
Learning to rebuild your life with purpose is what all bereaved parents strive to attain. Using the ideas from those who have been there and readjusting them to fit your own situation can give you the practical and emotional support needed.
We are very sorry for your loss...
We understand that the pain of a sudden unexpected infant death, including SIDS, is overwhelming and at times seems unbearable. The CJ Foundation offers bereavement materials and resources to help you and your family cope with your loss. We invite you to browse the links below for a number of immediate resources designed to address many of the difficult situations you may be facing.
Request Bereavement Materials
Receive a free packet from us in the mail
If you would like the CJ Foundation to send you a free bereavement packet, including the book, SIDS and Infant Death Survival Guide, please send an e-mail to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. We can also help you find bereavement services in your area so if you are interested, please do not hesitate to ask.
Online Parent-to-Parent Support Group
Participate in a moderated parent-to-parent support group
We'd like to invite you to join our new parent to parent online support group. The group will be moderated by a social worker to ensure a safe and supportive environment, and there is no cost to join. Please call 201-996-5320 or email Jackie at
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Group Support
A list of organizations offering grief support and bereavement services
Reading Materials
A short list of recommended readings
For other grief resources, visit The Centering Corporation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing education and resources for the bereaved.
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Highly Recommended
SIDS and Infant Death Survival Guide: Information and Comfort for Grieving Family and Friends and Professionals Who Seek to Help Them. Third edition.
Horchler JN, Rice R.
Cheverly, MD: SIDS Educational Services. 2003. 320 p.
Full Description
|
 |
Empty Cradle, Broken Heart
Davis D.
Fulcrum Publishing; Revised & enlarged edition (1996)
Full Description
|
 |
Not Just Another Day: Families, Grief and Special Days.
Throckmorton ML.
Omaha, NE: Centering Corporation. 2003. 16 p.
Full Description
|
 |
Flying Hugs and Kisses
Sample J.
Stillwater, OK: Newforums Press. 2010. 40 p.
Full Description
|
 |
Creating a New Normal...After the Death of a Child
Fox S.
Bloomington, IN: iUniverse. 2010. 308 p.
Full Description
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How To Request An Autopsy Report
The following document was designed to assist you in recovering the final diagnosis of your baby's death as well as a copy of the autopsy report
Medical Testing For Inherited Disorders
The CJ Foundation offers this information as a starting point for discussions with your personal doctor. It is not meant to be sufficient for all families who have suffered an unexplained death
When faced with the loss of a child due to a sudden and/or unexplained death, parents oftentimes wonder if they should have other family members tested for potentially causal medical conditions. While there is no simple answer to provide, we have prepared a document under the guidance of clinical experts to assist families in gathering information to present to their own family physician(s).
