SIDS

SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is an unexplained death of an infant less than one year of age. Every baby is at risk for SIDS. We want to provide you with the best practices that are known today on how to prevent SIDS for your baby.

The Facts

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 4,000 infants die of SIDS each year.

Some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

• Always remember this phrase of putting your baby "back to sleep". This means whenever your baby is sleeping lay him on his back.
•  Do not put anything under your baby’s head when sleeping.
•  Make sure your baby is sleeping on a firm mattress with a fitted sheet.
• Make sure there are no gaps between the crib and mattress. A baby can easily roll into this space and get stuck.
•  No cords or wires around or near where your baby sleeps.
• Keep soft objects, blankets, pillows out of crib.
• Do not use bumper pads in your baby’s crib.
• Offer a pacifier while your child sleeps. This may help prevent SIDS. Even if the pacifier falls out at night, it is ok. Do not pin the pacifier to your baby’s pajamas.
•  Do not put on more than one or two layers of clothing. Watch for signs if you baby is getting too hot, such as sweating or breathing faster. 
•   Do not cover your baby's face while sleeping.  
•  Make sure your baby gets enough tummy time while being watched. Your baby is missing out on about 12 hours of tummy time because your baby sleeps on their back. Here are some ideas for tummy time: You can put your baby across your leg, on a blanket while on the floor, and balance your baby on an exercise ball. If your baby gets fussy make tummy time fun by talking to your baby or playing with toys. 
• Tummy time is great because it helps your baby: stretch and strengthen their head,  neck, shoulder and back muscles which all helps with the development for social skills, problem solving, balance, and visual and hearing learning.
• Tummy time also helps your baby not to have a flat head in back.
•   Avoid alcohol, smoking, and drug use yourself and by anyone else in your home. This increases the risk for SIDS in your baby.   
•  Breastfeed for at least the first 6 months to a year, if possible. By having a mother breastfeed it can reduce the likelihood of SIDS.

More Information

• Call your doctor or your child’s pediatrician with any questions
• In an emergency call 911
• SUIDS/SIDS Resource Center
• Crib recalls 

 Video: 

 Test your Knowledge HERE
 

 Resources

•  Baby Your Baby
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• PEDIATRICS: Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics
• SIDS Resource Center

*This program was created by University of Utah Health Promotion & Education students as part of a capstone project. This program was not created by medical professionals. The information on the Oh Baby Program blog and videos were designed for educational purposes only. The information is not intended to replace informed medical advice or care. Please consult your family doctor with any questions or concerns you might have about your health or the health of your children. In the event of an emergency dial 911.