How can I reduce the risk of SIDS?

Shannon Corcoran, MPAS, PA-C

November 12, 2009

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Q: How can I reduce the risk of SIDS?

WHAT IS SIDS?

SIDS stands for sudden infant death syndrome. SIDS is the leading cause of death for babies 1 month to 1 year old. Most deaths from SIDS occur between 2 and 4 months of age. About 2,500 deaths from SIDS occur per year. SIDS almost always occurs while a baby is sleeping. Although the exact cause of SIDS is not known, we do know many of the risk factors for SIDS. These risk factors are important for you to know. This will help you to do things that will reduce the risk of SIDS for your baby.

WHAT CAN I DO TO REDUCE THE RISK OF SIDS?

• Put your baby on its back to sleep.

This is the best thing you can do to reduce the risk of SIDS. Your doctor or PA may tell you that your baby should sleep in a different position. If not, always put your baby on its back to sleep.

• Do not sleep with the baby. Do not put your baby to sleep in bed with you (or anyone else) while you are sleeping. Put your baby to sleep somewhere safe. The safest place is the baby's crib. If you want to sleep with the baby, move the crib next to your bed. You can also put the baby to sleep in other places that follow the rules in this handout.

• Use a firm sleeping surface for your baby. Never put your baby to sleep on a pillow, comforter, or rug. They may look nice to sleep on, but they can make it hard for your baby to breathe during sleep.

• Keep loose bedding out of the crib. No loose objects should be in the crib while your baby is sleeping. Never put pillows, blankets, or stuffed toys in the crib with your baby. These objects may make it hard for the baby to breathe.

• Don't let your baby get too warm. Don't let the baby's room get too hot. Dress the baby in light clothing for sleep. Don't cover the baby's head while he or she is sleeping. Covering the baby's head may cause the baby to get too hot.

• Use a fan in the baby's room. A fan can keep the air moving around the baby's face. It can also help to keep the baby from getting too warm while sleeping.

• Keep your baby away from smoke. Do not smoke cigarettes (or anything else) in your house or anywhere around your baby. Keep other people who are smoking away from the baby. If you smoke, try to quit. Your hair and clothes can expose your baby to the bad effects of smoke. This is true even if you don't smoke around the baby.

• Talk about SIDS with those who care for your baby. Tell these people how to reduce the risk of SIDS. Don't assume they know what to do. Give them a copy of this handout. Tell them you want them to do these things when they care for your baby.