SIDS
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) are terms used to describe the sudden and unexpected death of a baby less than 1 year old in which the cause was not obvious before investigation. These deaths often happen during sleep or in the baby’s sleep area. It doesn't happen often. This is a rare occurrence. Infant deaths are tragic for all involved.
Research shows parents and caregivers can help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths by doing the following:
- Place your baby on his or her back for all sleep times—naps and at night.
- Use a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib, covered by a fitted sheet.
- Keep your baby’s sleep area (for example, a crib or bassinet) in the same room where you sleep until your baby is at least 6 months old, or ideally, until your baby is one year old.
- Keep soft bedding such as blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and soft toys out of your baby’s sleep area.
- Do not cover your baby’s head or allow your baby to get too hot. Signs your baby may be getting too hot include sweating or his or her chest feels hot.
- Do not smoke/vape during pregnancy, and do not smoke/vape or allow smoking or vaping around your baby.
- Do not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs during pregnancy.
- Breastfeed your baby.
- Visit your baby’s health care provider for regular checkups. Your baby will receive important shots to prevent disease.
- Offer your baby a pacifier at nap time and bedtime. If you are breastfeeding your baby, you may want to wait to use a pacifier until breastfeeding is well-established.
For information on:
Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Click here
Safe Sleep: Click here
Download the Safe Sleep pdf: Click here
(Updated 4/23/2019)