Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Prevention

The sudden and unexpected death of a healthy child who is younger than one year old, usually during sleep. The cause of sudden infant death syndrome is not known.

Part of: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

About Reducing the Risk of SIDS

The following actions can reduce the risk for SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death (such as suffocation):

Always place infants on their backs to sleep, for naps and at night, to reduce the risk of SIDS. The back sleep position is always the safest position for all infants, including preterm babies. Keep in mind that every sleep time counts. Use a firm sleep surface, covered by a fitted sheet, to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death. Firm sleep surfaces can include mattresses in safety-approved* cribs, bassinets, and portable play areas. Do not use a car seat, carrier, swing, or similar product as the baby’s everyday sleep area. Never place babies to sleep on soft surfaces, such as on a couch or sofa, pillows, quilts, sheepskins, or blankets….Read more about Reducing the Risk of SIDS

NIH – National Institute of Child Health and Human Development