What is SIDS?
SIDS stands for sudden infant death syndrome, which describes the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year of age. SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants between 1 month and 1 year of age.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Back to Sleep campaign recommend that infants under the age of 1 be placed on their backs to sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS. Since the campaign started in 1994, the rate of SIDS in the U.S. has decreased by more than 50%
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Back to Sleep campaign recommend that infants under the age of 1 be placed on their backs to sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS. Since the campaign started in 1994, the rate of SIDS in the U.S. has decreased by more than 50%
Tips to prevent SIDS
1. Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, at nighttime and naptime. Back sleeping helps keep your baby's mouth and nose unblocked so they breathe in fresh, clean air.
2. Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as on a safety-approved crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet.
3. Keep soft objects, toys, pillows, quilts and loose bedding out of your baby's crib.
4. Do not let anyone smoke around your baby.
5. Your baby should never sleep on a sofa, chair, soft surface or in any bed with another adult or child.
6. Keep baby's head uncovered during sleep.
7. Make sure your baby is not too warm.
8. Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS because most have not been tested for safety.
(Safe Sleep for your Baby, 2005)
2. Place your baby on a firm sleep surface, such as on a safety-approved crib mattress, covered by a fitted sheet.
3. Keep soft objects, toys, pillows, quilts and loose bedding out of your baby's crib.
4. Do not let anyone smoke around your baby.
5. Your baby should never sleep on a sofa, chair, soft surface or in any bed with another adult or child.
6. Keep baby's head uncovered during sleep.
7. Make sure your baby is not too warm.
8. Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS because most have not been tested for safety.
(Safe Sleep for your Baby, 2005)
Resources
Back to Sleep Campaign:
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/SIDS
What does a Safe Sleep Environment Look Like:
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/upload/Safe_Sleep_2009_Eng.pdf
A Parents' Guide to Safe Sleep: http://www.healthychildcare.org/pdf/SIDSparentsafesleep.pdf
Helping Baby "Back to Sleep":
http://www.sidscenter.org/documents/SIDRC/BackToSleep.pdf
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/SIDS
What does a Safe Sleep Environment Look Like:
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/upload/Safe_Sleep_2009_Eng.pdf
A Parents' Guide to Safe Sleep: http://www.healthychildcare.org/pdf/SIDSparentsafesleep.pdf
Helping Baby "Back to Sleep":
http://www.sidscenter.org/documents/SIDRC/BackToSleep.pdf