Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) This information is from the U.S. Public Health Service, American Academy of Pediatrics, SIDS Alliance, and Association of SIDS Program Professionals, 1997.

What is 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, is the major cause of death in babies from 1 month to 1 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 described below, research has found some things that can help reduce the risk of SIDS.

Healthy Babies Should Sleep on Their Back or Side

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 or side to sleep. Do this when your baby is being put down for a nap or to bed for the night.

This is new. Your mother was told, and if you have other children, 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 or side.

Check with Your Doctor or Nurse

Most babies should sleep on their back or side. 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, was born before your due date, 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 on 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 or side and doctors have not found an increase in choking or other problems.

Some babies at first don't like sleeping on their back or side, but most get used to it. Talk to a nurse or doctor if you have questions about your baby's sleep.

Other Things You Can Do to Help Prevent 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, a 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 their 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 of 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. A good start for any baby is for mothers to have received early and regular prenatal care. The risk of SIDS is higher for babies whose mothers smoked during pregnancy. It is also important to your baby's well being for pregnant women not to use alcohol or drugs (unless prescribed by a doctor).
  
  
• Breastfeeding. If possible, you should consider breastfeeding your baby. Breast milk helps to keep your baby healthy.

Best Sleep Position
Make sure your baby goes to sleep on his back. This provides the best protection.

Alternative Sleep Position
If you choose the side sleep position, make sure your baby's lower arm is forward to stop him or her from rolling over onto the stomach.

Your baby can be placed on his or her stomach when awake. Some "tummy time" during awake hours is good for your baby.

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.

If you have any questions about your baby's sleep position or health, first talk to your doctor or nurse. For more information about the Back to Sleep campaign, call free of charge 1-800-505-2742. Or you can write to: Back to Sleep, P.O. Box 29111, Washington, D.C. 20040. (Reprinted with permission from the Back to Sleep campaign).

For more information concerning SIDS and infant sleep position, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site at http://www.aap.org.

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