Reducing The Risk Of SIDS
What is SIDS?
SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It is the sudden
and unexplained death of a baby under 1 year of age. Because
many SIDS babies are found in their cribs, some people call SIDS
"crib death." But, cribs do not cause SIDS.
Facts About SIDS
Doctors and nurses do not know what causes SIDS, but they do
know:
- SIDS is the leading cause of death in babies after 1 month of
age to 1 year of age. - Most SIDS deaths happen in babies under
6 months old. - Babies placed to sleep on their stomachs are
much more likely to die of SIDS than babies placed on their
backs to sleep. - Babies are more likely to die of SIDS if they
are placed to sleep on top of soft bedding or if they are
covered by soft bedding. - African American babies are 2 times
more likely to die of SIDS than white babies. - American Indian
babies are almost 3 times more likely to die of SIDS than white
babies.
Even though there is no way to know which babies might die of
SIDS, there are some things that you can do to make your baby
safer.
What Can I Do to Help Lower the Risk of SIDS?
Always place your baby on his or her Back to Sleep, even for
naps. This is the safest sleep position for ahealthy baby to
reduce the risk of SIDS.
Place your baby on a firm mattress, such as in a safety-approved
crib. Research has shown that placing a baby to sleep on soft
mattresses, sofas, sofa cushions, waterbeds, sheepskins, or
other soft surfaces greatly increases the risk of SIDS.
Remove soft, fluffy and loose bedding and stuffed toys from your
baby's sleep area. Make sure you keep all pillows, quilts,
stuffed toys, and other soft items away from your baby's sleep
area.
Make sure everyone who cares for your baby knows to place your
baby on his or her back to sleep and about the dangers of soft
bedding. Talk to childcare providers, grandparents, babysitters
and all caregivers about SIDS risk. Remember, every sleep time
counts. So, for the least risk, remind every caregiver to place
your baby on his or her back to sleep on firm bedding at both
nighttime and naptime.
Make sure your baby's face and head stay uncovered during sleep.
Keep blankets and other coverings away from your baby's mouth
and nose. The best way to do this is to dress your baby in sleep
clothing so you will not have to use any other covering over the
baby. If you do use a blanket or another covering, make sure
that the baby's feet are at the bottom of the crib, the blanket
is no higher than the baby's chest, and the blanket is tucked in
around the bottom of the crib mattress.
Do not allow smoking around your baby. Don't smoke before or
after the birth of your baby and make sure no one smokes around
your baby.
Don't let your baby get too warm during sleep. Keep your baby
warm during sleep, but not too warm. Your baby's room should be
at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult. Too many
layers of clothing or blankets can overheat your baby.
Babies Sleep Safest on Their Backs.
One of the easiest ways to lower the risk of SIDS is to put your
baby on his or her Back to Sleep, even for naps. Until a few
several years ago, doctors told mothers to place babies on their
stomachs to sleep. Research now shows that fewer babies die of
SIDS when they sleep on their backs.
If you use a blanket, place the baby with his or her feet at the
foot of the crib. The blanket should reach no higher than the
baby's chest and the ends of the blanket should be tucked under
the crib mattress.