How to Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) leads to more than 3,000 infants death every year in the United States. SIDS, commonly known as "Crib Death," happens to babies 1 years old and younger while they are sleeping. What really cause SIDS is not completely understood. Here are some things you can do to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Instructions

1. Put a baby to sleep on his back. Sleeping on the back reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by three times. Avoid putting your baby on his stomach or on his side. To avoid a flat spot on the baby's back, let him roll around on his stomach when he is awake.

2. Do not put a baby to sleep on soft surfaces such as sofas, water beds and soft mattresses.

3. Breastfeed your newborn. Breastfeeding reduces risk of SIDS, since it helps to lower the risk of upper respiratory infections, which might contribute to the cause of SIDS.

4. Keep your baby away from smoke. Exposure to cigarette smoke is associated with an elevate risk of SIDS. Also keep your baby away from fragrances and chemical irritants which might irritate his air passage and make it difficult for your baby to breathe.

5. Do not put too many layers of clothes or blankets on your baby. Be sure that her head is not covered by anything during sleep. Soft bedding materials (quilts, pillows, stuffed toys) have been shown to increase the risk for SIDS. Remove them from your baby's crib, and do not let your baby overheat.

6. Make sure the crib mattress is perfectly fitted to the crib. Remove the mattress' plastic covering, as plastic may prevent air circulation in the crib.

Resources

• California SIDS Program