A recent study was attempting to determine a possible link between high levels of the brain chemical serotonin and aggression/anger. Instead, researchers stumbled upon an unexpected discovery.

In the study, mice were genetically engineered to overproduce serotonin. Most of the mice died at an early age because they were unable to regulate their body temperature and heart rate. The finding led researchers to believe that an overproduction of serotonin could be responsible for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS, otherwise known as crib death, is one of the most common causes of death in children between the ages of 1 and 12 months old.

The studies findings support previous research which linked SIDS to abnormal production of serotonin.

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Though crib bedding can be adorable, complete with comforter, bumper pads, and sheets, child safety experts are urging new parents to resist the urge to buy them.

Crib bumper pads, which many parents use to keep their infants from bumping their heads on crib rails, were responsible for 27 accidental deaths between the years of 1985 and 2005. Infants can get caught in the bumpers or their ties, and older babies can use them to climb out of the crib. A safer crib is one with no soft objects, but simply a crib sheet and a baby. It may look bare at first, since we're all so attuned to the well-dressed crib, but it's much safer for baby.

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Every new parent shares a fear of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). I remember when my daughter was born, it seemed like a mysterious affliction that could come and take my baby without reason or warning.

But while it is true that doctors don't always know what causes SIDS, it's also true that the vast majority of cases are due to babies suffocating during sleep.

Subsequently, it was no surprise when the number of infant deaths dropped dramatically when parents were encouraged to avoid placing infants face down to sleep. In fact, SIDS rates fell by 50% between the mid-80s and 1993.

Now researchers estimate that the number has dropped even further (an additional 63%), thanks to parents changing infants sleeping position from the side to the back.

For more tips on how to protect your newborn, see this article from MSNBC.

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