Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexplained
death of an infant under one year of age. SIDS, sometimes known as crib
death, strikes nearly 5,000 babies in the United States every year.
Doctors and nurses don't know what causes SIDS, but they have found some
things you can do to make your baby safer. More
about SIDS.
One of the most important things you can do to help reduce the risk
of SIDS is to put your healthy baby on his or her back to sleep. Do this
when your baby is being put down for a nap or to bed for the night. More
on sleep positions.
This is new. Your mother was told in the past, and
you may have been told that babies should sleep on their tummy. Now,
doctors and nurses believe that fewer babies will die of SIDS if most
infants sleep on their back.
Check with your doctor or nurse.
Most babies should sleep on their back. But a few babies have health
conditions that might require them to sleep on their tummy. If your baby
was born with a birth defect, often spits up after eating, or has a
breathing, lung, or heart problem, be sure to talk to a doctor or nurse
about which sleep position to use.
Some mothers worry that babies sleeping on their back may choke or
spit-up or vomit during sleep. There is no evidence that sleeping on the
back causes choking. Millions of babies around the world now sleep on
their back, and doctors have not found an increase in choking or other
problems.
Some babies at first don't like sleeping on their back, but most get
used to it, and this is the best sleep position for your baby. Although
back sleeping is the best sleep position, your baby can be placed on his
or her side. Side position does not provide as much protection against
SIDS as back sleeping, but it is much better than placing your baby on
his or her tummy.
Your baby can be placed on his or her stomach when awake. Some
"tummy time" during awake hours is good for your baby. Talk to
your doctor or nurse if you have questions about your baby's sleep
position.
Other Things You Can Do to Reduce the Risk of SIDS
 | Bedding Make sure that your baby sleeps on a firm mattress
or other firm surface. Don't use fluffy blankets or comforters under
the baby. Don't let the baby sleep on a waterbed, sheepskin, pillow,
or other soft materials. When your baby is very young, don't place
soft stuffed toys or pillows in the crib with him or her. Some
babies have smothered with these soft materials in the crib. |
| Temperature Babies should be kept warm, but they should not
be allowed to get too warm. Keep the temperature in your baby's room
so that it feels comfortable to you. |
| Smoke-Free Create a smoke-free zone around your baby. No
one should smoke around your baby. Babies and young children exposed
to smoke have more colds and other diseases, as well as an increased
risk of SIDS. |
| Doctor or clinic visits If your baby seems sick, call your
doctor or clinic right away. Make sure your baby receives his or her
shots on schedule. |
| Prenatal care Early and regular prenatal care can also help
reduce the risk of SIDS. The risk of SIDS is higher for babies whose
mothers smoked during pregnancy. For your baby's well-being, you
should not use alcohol or drugs during pregnancy unless prescribed
by a doctor. |
| Breastfeeding If possible, you should consider
breastfeeding your baby. Breast milk helps to keep your baby
healthy. |
| Enjoy your baby! Remember, most babies are born healthy and
most stay that way. Don't let the fear of SIDS spoil your joy and
enjoyment of having a new baby. |
SIDS is the major cause of death in babies from 1 month to one year
of age. Most SIDS deaths occur when a baby is between 1 and 4 months
old. More boys than girls are victims, and most deaths occur during the
fall, winter, and early spring months.
The death is sudden and unpredictable; in most cases the baby seems
healthy. Death occurs quickly, usually during a sleep time.
After 30 years of research, scientists still cannot find one definite
cause or causes for SIDS. There is no way to predict or prevent SIDS.
But. as this page describes, research has found some things that can
help reduce the risk of SIDS. <<<
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Best Sleep Position |
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| Make sure your baby goes to sleep on his or her
back. This provides the best protection against SIDS. |
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Alternative Sleep Position |
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| If you choose to use the side sleep position, make
sure your baby's lower arm is forward to stop him or her
from rolling over onto the stomach. |
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 If
you have any questions about your baby's sleep position or health,
first tell your doctor or nurse. For more information about the Back
to Sleep Campaign, visit
their website, call free of charge, 1-800-505-2742. Or you can
write to: Back to Sleep, P.O. Box 29111, Washington, D.C. 20040l.
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This information is from the the U.S. Public Health Service,
American Academy of Pediatrics, SIDS Alliance, and Association of SIDS
and Infant Mortality Programs.
