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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Although the number of deaths from SIDS has decreased in recent years, about 2,500 babies die from SIDS each year. Children’s National has a team of researchers, doctors, and staff committed to learning more about SIDS and educating parents about ways to reduce the risk of SIDS.



Follow these tips to create a safe sleep environment and help reduce the risk of SIDS for infants.

Reducing the Risk of SIDS poster


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Positioning
  • Babies should always sleep on their backs.
  • Place baby on his/her back to sleep at night time and naptime.
  • Babies shouldn’t sleep on their side. They may roll to face down position.
Cribs
  • Every baby should sleep in his/her own crib.
  • Place baby on a firm mattress in a safety-approved crib.
  • Remove all fluffy and loose bedding from the sleep area. The only thing that should be in the crib is the baby.
  • Make sure baby’s head and face stay uncovered during sleep.
  • Use blanket sleepers instead of blankets during colder months.
Room sharing
  • Babies from birth to age 6 months should sleep in the same room with their parents.
  • Babies should not sleep on the same sleep surface with their parents.
  • Bring the baby into your bed for cuddling and feeding, but return the baby to his/her crib when you are ready to go back to sleep.
Other tips
  • Don’t let baby get too warm during sleep. A general rule is that babies need one more layer than you do.
  • Use pacifiers at naptime and bedtime during the first year, but not during the first month for breast-fed babies.
  • Breastfeeding is best!
  • Make sure your baby gets all the recommended vaccinations.
VIDEO THUMBNAIL Video: SIDS and Tips to Reduce Your Baby's Risk

Tips to reduce your baby's the risk of SIDS. Discussed by: Dr. Rachel Moon

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