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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month - October 27

 

While the prevalence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in the United States has decreased by 50% over the last 20 years, SIDS remains the leading cause of death for U.S. infants 1 month to 1 year of age.1 This SIDS Awareness MonthExternal Web Site Policy, the NICHD highlights SIDS resources and research to help parents, caregivers, and medical professionals reduce the risk of SIDS.

SIDS is defined as the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year of age that remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation. A diagnosis of SIDS is made by collecting information, conducting scientific or forensic tests, and talking with parents, other caregivers, and health care providers. If, after this process is complete, there is still no identifiable cause of death, the infant's death might be labeled as SIDS. This includes a complete autopsy, a full examination of the death scene, and a review of the infant’s and family health history. The exact cause of SIDS remains unknown—in fact, researchers suspect multiple conditions may lead to SIDS—but we do know many ways to reduce a baby’s risk.

How many infants die from SIDS or are at risk for SIDS?

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that 1,545 infants died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in 2014 (the most recent year for which data are available). SIDS was the leading cause of death in children between 1 month and 1 year of age in 2013. The majority (90%) of SIDS deaths occur before a child is 6 months old, with most happening between 1 month and 4 months of age. 

What factors increase the risk of SIDS?

Currently, there is no known way to prevent SIDS, but there are ways to reduce the risk. Several factors present during pregnancy, at birth, and throughout the first year after birth can impact SIDS risk. Many of these factors can be controlled or changed to reduce the risk, but some cannot be controlled or changed.

One of the most effective actions that parents and caregivers can take to lower SIDS risk is to place their baby to sleep on his or her back for all sleep times.

Research shows that:

  • Back sleeping carries the lowest risk for SIDS and is recommended.
  • Stomach sleeping carries the highest risk for SIDS—between 1.7 and 12.9 times the risk of back sleeping. It is not recommended.
  • The side-lying position also increases the risk. It is unstable and babies can easily roll to their stomach. It is not recommended.

Other known risk factors for SIDS include the following:

  • Preterm birth. Infants born before 37 weeks in the womb are at higher risk for SIDS than are infants born at full term.
  • Smoking. Maternal smoking during pregnancy and smoke in the infant's environment increases the risk of SIDS.
  • Race/ethnic origin. African American and American Indian/Alaska Native infants are at higher risk for SIDS than are white, Hispanic American, or Asian/Pacific Islander American infants.

How can I reduce the risk of SIDS?

Research shows that there are several ways to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death.

  • Always place baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night, to reduce the risk of SIDS. The back sleep position is the safest position for all babies until they are 1 year old. Babies who are used to sleeping on their backs, but who are then placed to sleep on their stomachs, like for a nap, are at very high risk for SIDS. Preemies (infants born preterm) should be placed on their backs to sleep as soon as possible after birth.
  • Use firm and flat sleep surfaces, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib, covered by a fitted sheet with no other bedding or soft items in the sleeping area. Never place baby to sleep on soft surfaces, such as on a couch, sofa, waterbed, pillow, quilt, sheepskin, or blanket. These surfaces can be very dangerous for babies. Do not use a car seat, stroller, swing, infant carrier, infant sling, or similar products as the baby's regular sleep area. Following these recommendations reduces the risk of SIDS and death or injury from suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation.
  • Breastfeed your baby to reduce the risk of SIDS.  Breastfeeding has many health benefits for the mother and baby. Babies who breastfeed, or are fed breastmilk, are at lower risk for SIDS than are babies who were never fed breastmilk. A longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding leads to lower risk.
  • If you bring your baby into your bed for feeding, put him or her back in a separate sleep area when finished. This sleeping area should be made for infants, like a crib or bassinet, and close to your bed. If you fall asleep while feeding or comforting your baby in an adult bed, place him or her back in a separate sleep area as soon as you wake up.  Evidence shows that the longer a parent and an infant bed share, the higher the risk for sleep-related causes of infant death, such as suffocation. Breastfeeding information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/faq/index.htm.
  • Share your room with your baby. Keep him or her in your room close to your bed but on a separate surface designed for infants, ideally for the first year (at least for the first 6 months). Room sharing reduces the risk of SIDS. The baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch, or on a chair alone, with you, or with anyone else, including siblings or pets. Having a separate safe sleep surface for the baby reduces the risk of SIDS and the chance of suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment. If you bring your baby into your bed for feeding or comforting, remove all soft items and bedding from the area. When finished, put him or her back in a separate sleep area made for infants, like a crib or bassinet, and close to your bed. Couches and armchairs can also be very dangerous for babies if adults fall asleep as they feed, comfort, or bond with the baby while on these surfaces. Parents and other caregivers should be mindful of how tired they are during these times. There is no evidence for or against devices or products that claim to make bed-sharing "safer."
  • Do not put soft objects, crib bumpers, or loose bedding under baby, over baby, or anywhere in baby’s sleeping area. Keeping these items out of the baby's sleep area reduces the risk of SIDS and suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation. Because the evidence does not support using them to prevent injury, crib bumpers are not recommended. Crib bumpers are linked to serious injuries and deaths from suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation. Keeping these and other soft objects out of the baby's sleep area is the best way to avoid these dangers.

 

To Reduce the Risk of SIDS, Women Should:

  • Get regular prenatal care during pregnancy
  • Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and using marijuana or illegal drugs during pregnancy or after the baby is born.
  • To reduce the risk of SIDS, do not smoke during pregnancy, and do not smoke or allow smoking around your baby.
  • Think about giving your baby a pacifier for naps and nighttime sleep to reduce the risk of SIDS. Do not attach the pacifier to anything—like a string, clothing, stuffed toy, or blanket—that carries a risk for suffocation, choking, or strangulation. Wait until breastfeeding is well established (often by 3 to 4 weeks) before offering a pacifier. Or, if you are not breastfeeding, offer the pacifier as soon as you want. Don't force the baby to use it. If the pacifier falls out of the baby's mouth during sleep, there is no need to put the pacifier back in. Pacifiers reduce the risk of SIDS for all babies, including breastfed babies.  
  • Do not let your baby get too hot during sleep. Dress your baby in sleep clothing, such as a wearable blanket designed to keep him or her warm without the need for loose blankets in the sleeping area. Dress baby appropriately for the environment, and do not over bundle. Parents and caregivers should watch for signs of overheating, such as sweating or the baby's chest feeling hot to the touch. Keep the baby's face and head uncovered during sleep.
  • Follow guidance from your healthcare provider on your baby’s vaccines and regular health checkups. Vaccines not only protect baby's health, but research shows that vaccinated babies are at lower risk for SIDS.
  • Avoid products that go against safe sleep recommendations, especially those that claim to prevent or reduce the risk for SIDS. There is currently no known way to prevent SIDS. Evidence does not support the safety or effectiveness of wedges, positioners, or other products that claim to keep infants in a specific position or to reduce the risk of SIDS, suffocation, or reflux. In fact, many of these products are associated with injury and death, especially when used in a baby's sleep area.
  • Do not use heart or breathing monitors in the home to reduce the risk of SIDS. If you have questions about using these monitors for other health conditions, talk with your baby's health care provider, and always follow safe sleep recommendations.
  • Give your baby plenty of tummy time when he or she is awake and someone is watching. Supervised tummy time helps strengthen your baby's neck, shoulder, and arm muscles. It also helps to prevent flat spots on the back of your baby's head.  Limiting the time spent in car seats, once the baby is out of the car, and changing the direction the infant lays in the sleeping area from week to week also can help to prevent these flat spots.

Make sure everyone who cares for your baby knows the ways to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death.

A crib, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard that follows the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recommended. For information on crib safety guidelines, contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 800-638-2772 or http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Kids-and-Babies/Cribs/.

Observing SIDS Awareness Month

During Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, help encourage safe sleep for babies by sharing social images and messages with the #SafeSleepSnap hashtag.

Join the fun by promoting this activity on your social media channels. Invite your audiences to participate in one or all of the following ways:

  • Post a photo of a baby in a safe sleep area on your own social media accounts.
  • If desired, include yourself with the baby next to the safe sleep area in the photo.
  • Use the #SafeSleepSnap hashtag in the post.
  • Make sure your photo follows the Before-You-Post Checklists guidance.

Before-You-Post Checklists

Use these checklists before you post to make sure your photo and message are ready:

Photos

  • Check whether the crib has been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
  • Make sure the baby is on their back. The baby can be asleep or awake for the photo.
  • Double-check that baby’s sleep space has no blankets, pillows, crib bumpers, pets, other children, or stuffed animals/toys. The crib should have only a fitted sheet on a firm, flat mattress.
  • Remove any sleep position products, especially those that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS.
  • Take off any loose items, such as a hat or bow, that baby is wearing.
  • If the baby has a pacifier, make sure it is not clipped to the baby’s clothing or attached to anything, such as a string or toy.
  • Have fun with your photos and posts!

Messages

  • Include a safe infant sleep message with your photo to help spread the word about safe sleep for babies. You can use these messages from Safe to Sleep® as inspiration.
  • Use #SafeSleepSnap and any other parenting hashtags that you follow or use on social media.
  • Consider making your Facebook post public so your post can be shared and seen by others.
  • Consider making your Twitter or Instagram account public so your photo can be seen by others who are using and following #SafeSleepSnap.
  • Engage with Your Audiences
  • Show your support of SIDS Awareness Month and partners by reposting/retweeting #SafeSleepSnap posts from others. 

Do not forget to:

  • Recognize #SafeSleepSnap photos that follow the safe infant sleep guidelines and congratulate the posters.
  • Learn how to address unsafe sleep messages that tag you or your organization.
  • Learn more about safe infant sleep guidelines and how to reduce the risk of SIDS.
  • Respond to questions and share links to trustworthy resources for more information.





Sources:

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/newsroom/resources/spotlight/102014-october-SIDS

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr64/nvsr64_09.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr65/nvsr65_02.pdf

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/128/5/e1341.full

https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/116/5/1245

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/sids/conditioninfo/reduce

https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/resources/toolkit/safesleepsnap

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