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Sudden Infant Death

Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

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.

Healthy Babies Should Sleep on Their Back

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. 

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.

More About SIDS

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. <<< Back

Sleep Position

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.

Child Health
Health Tips
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Sudden Infant Death
Born Learning
Secondhand Smoke and Children