Prevention of SIDS

1)  Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexpected death of a child younger than one year, during sleep, that cannot be explained by history and postmortem examination.  
 
2)  The incidence of SIDS has decreased more than 50% in the past 20 years as a result of the "back to sleep" campaign.

3)  Recommendations to reduce the risk of SIDS:
       
        A)  Infants should be placed on his or her back to sleep (supine position).  The prone and side sleeping positions are significantly more dangerous than the supine position.

​        B)  Parents should not share a bed with the infant, especially those younger than 12 weeks.
        
        C)  Infants shouild not be exposed to cigarette smoke either prenatally or postnatally.

        D)  The crib mattress should be firm.

        E)  Avoid use of soft bedding such as pillows, quilts, comforters and sheepskins.

        F)  Avoid overheating due to overbundling.

        G)  Encourage breast feeding and the use of a pacifier when breast feeding is completed.

        H)  Avoid alcohol and illicit drug use during and after pregnancy.

        I)   Infants should sleep in a safety approved crib, play yard or bassinet.

        J)  The crib should be placed next to the parent's bed.

        K)  The infant should be dressed in one more layer of clothing that an adult
finds comfortable.

        L)  Garments or bedding that cover the face should be avoided.

        M)  Once an infant can roll from the supine to prone position and back again, he or she can remain in either position during sleep.