Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths is then term used when an infant dies unexpectedly and suddenly. October is SIDS Awareness Month. Take this opportunity to learn how to reduce the risks of SIDS.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Safe Sleep
In 2014, about 3,500 infants died unexpectedly. About half of these deaths were unknown causes and determined to be SIDS after thorough investigation and no other cause could be found. However, some infants experience Accidental Suffocation and Strangulation in Bed (ASSB). These tragedies can happen because of:
- Suffocation by soft bedding—for example, when a pillow or waterbed covers an infant’s nose and mouth.
- Overlay—when another person rolls on top of or against the infant.
- Wedging or entrapment—when an infant is wedged between two objects such as a mattress and wall, bed frame, or furniture.
- Strangulation—for example, when an infant’s head and neck get caught between crib railings.
Reducing the Risk of SIDS
There are steps caregivers can take to reduce the risk of SIDS:
- Always place babies on their backs when putting them to sleep for naps and at night.
- Use a firm sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib, covered by a fitted sheet.
- Share your room with your baby, not your bed. Your baby should not sleep in an adult bed, on a couch, or on a chair alone, with you, or with anyone else.
- Keep soft objects, such as pillows and loose bedding, out of your baby’s sleep area
You can read more about safe sleep on our website
For more information on SIDS Awareness Month, go to www.cdc.gov
