SIDS Prevention Information

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of a healthy baby. The cause of SIDS is not known, but certain things may increase the risk for SIDS. There are steps that you can take to help prevent SIDS.

What steps can I take?

Sleeping

• Always place your baby on his or her back for naptime and bedtime. Do this until your baby is 1 year old. This sleeping position has the lowest risk of SIDS. Do not place your baby to sleep on his or her side or stomach unless your doctor tells you to do so.
• Place your baby to sleep in a crib or bassinet that is close to a parent or caregiver’s bed. This is the safest place for a baby to sleep.
• Use a crib and crib mattress that have been safety-approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing and Materials.
  • Use a firm crib mattress with a fitted sheet.
  • Do not put any of the following in the crib:
    • Loose bedding.
    • Quilts.
    • Duvets.
    • Sheepskins.
    • Crib rail bumpers.
    • Pillows.
    • Toys.
    • Stuffed animals.
  • Avoid putting your your baby to sleep in an infant carrier, car seat, or swing.
• Do not let your child sleep in the same bed as other people (co-sleeping). This increases the risk of suffocation. If you sleep with your baby, you may not wake up if your baby needs help or is hurt in any way. This is especially true if:
  • You have been drinking or using drugs.
  • You have been taking medicine for sleep.
  • You have been taking medicine that may make you sleep.
  • You are very tired.
• Do not place more than one baby to sleep in a crib or bassinet. If you have more than one baby, they should each have their own sleeping area.
• Do not place your baby to sleep on adult beds, soft mattresses, sofas, cushions, or waterbeds.
• Do not let your baby get too hot while sleeping. Dress your baby in light clothing, such as a one-piece sleeper. Your baby should not feel hot to the touch and should not be sweaty. Swaddling your baby for sleep is not generally recommended.
• Do not cover your baby’s head with blankets while sleeping.

Feeding

• Breastfeed your baby. Babies who breastfeed wake up more easily and have less of a risk of breathing problems during sleep.
• If you bring your baby into bed for a feeding, make sure you put him or her back into the crib after feeding.

General instructions

• Think about using a pacifier. A pacifier may help lower the risk of SIDS. Talk to your doctor about the best way to start using a pacifier with your baby. If you use a pacifier:
  • It should be dry.
  • Clean it regularly.
  • Do not attach it to any strings or objects if your baby uses it while sleeping.
  • Do not put the pacifier back into your baby’s mouth if it falls out while he or she is asleep.
• Do not smoke or use tobacco around your baby. This is especially important when he or she is sleeping. If you smoke or use tobacco when you are not around your baby or when outside of your home, change your clothes and bathe before being around your baby.
• Give your baby plenty of time on his or her tummy while he or she is awake and while you can watch. This helps:
  • Your baby’s muscles.
  • Your baby’s nervous system.
  • To prevent the back of your baby’s head from becoming flat.
• Keep your baby up-to-date with all of his or her shots (vaccines).

Where to find more information

• American Academy of Family Physicians: www.aafp.org  
• American Academy of Pediatrics: www.aap.org  
• National Institute of Health, Eunice Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Safe to Sleep® Campaign: www.nichd.nih.gov/sts/  

Summary

• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of a healthy baby.
• The cause of SIDS is not known, but there are steps that you can take to help prevent SIDS.
• Always place your baby on his or her back for naptime and bedtime until your baby is 1 year old.
• Have your baby sleep in an approved crib or bassinet that is close to a parent or caregiver’s bed.
• Make sure all soft objects, toys, blankets, pillows, loose bedding, sheepskins, and crib bumpers are kept out of your baby’s sleep area.