Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is the unexplained death of a baby in the first year of life. It usually happens during sleep, so SIDS is often discussed as part of safe sleep practices.
Researchers don’t know what causes SIDS, but they have uncovered many factors that can impact occurrences. Here are some do’s and dont’s when it comes to safe sleep.
DO:
Place your baby on their back.Even when they are older and can change positions independently, it’s best to still put them down on their back.
Use a firm mattress with a bare sleep space.There should be no suffocation hazards, such as padding, loose blankets, pillows, crib bumpers, or stuffed animals.
Room-share.Ideally, your baby should sleep in the same room as you – on their sleep surface like a bassinet – for at least 6-12 months.
Breastfeed.If it is a feeding choice you can make, breastfeeding for at least the first six months has been shown to reduce SIDS risk.
Try a pacifier.If your baby takes to one, sucking on a pacifier has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS.
DON’T:
Overdress your baby.While bundling your baby in layers may look cozy, they can overheat quickly. Dress lightly.
Smoke or allow smoking around your baby.Exposure to smoking during pregnancy or after birth can increase the baby’s risk of SIDS.
Allow your baby to sleep on soft surfaces.No matter where your baby falls asleep, transfer them to their safely-defined sleep surface with a firm mattress as soon as possible.
Use sleep positioners.Mats, pillows, or wedges marketed as infant loungers bring an added suffocation risk to your baby’s sleep.
Leave your baby unsupervised in “baby containers.”Don’t leave your baby to sleep in swings, loungers, or infant car seats that have been removed from the vehicle.