SIDS: What We Should Know
October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) awareness month. SIDS is a sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant under one year of age, whose death remains unexplained after an adequate investigation. The number of babies that die from SIDS have dropped from approximately 5000 deaths, to approximately 3000 deaths a year since 1992. In 1992, the Back to Sleep campaign was started. Placing infants to sleep on their backs instead of their stomachs has been associated with a dramatic decrease in deaths from SIDS. SIDS most commonly occurs in children ages one week to six months and can strike any family. SIDS is not contagious or hereditary. SIDS is not caused by vomiting, choking, minor illnesses such as colds or infections, or child abuse. SIDS occurs very rapidly, usually during sleep. Sadly, SIDS cannot be predicted or prevented, but there are ways to reduce the incidence of SIDS.
 | As stated before, place babies on their backs to sleep unless your baby’s doctor recommends otherwise. |
| No smoking allowed. Studies have shown that babies exposed to smoke were twice as likely to die from SIDS. |
| Use firm bedding. Don’t allow your infant to sleep on beanbag cushions, sheepskins, foam pads, or filled pillows. |
| Avoid overheating, especially if a baby is ill. Research shows that overheating from too many clothes, blankets, or too warm a room may greatly increase to risk of SIDS for a baby with a cold or infection. |
| Breast-fed babies are less likely to die of SIDS. |
| Get good health care. Good care starts early in pregnancy and includes eating the right foods. You should also have frequent check-ups with your doctor or nurse. |
For more information on SIDS call the SIDS Network Of Kentucky, Inc. at (502)-574-6989 or 1-800-928-SIDS.