Safe Sleep Saves Lives: Protect Your Baby from SIDS

Every year, thousands of infants die suddenly and unexpectedly during sleep. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death for babies under one year old. The good news is that parents and caregivers can take simple steps to create a safe sleep environment and significantly reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths.

What is SIDS?

SIDS is the sudden, unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant, usually occurring during sleep. While the exact cause remains unknown, research shows that unsafe sleep environments—such as soft bedding, sleeping on the stomach, and bed-sharing—can increase the risk.

How to Create a Safe Sleep Environment

The AAP provides clear recommendations to help parents establish safe sleep habits for their babies:

• Place babies on their backs for every sleep – Whether for naps or nighttime, infants should always sleep on their backs. This position keeps their airway open and reduces the risk of suffocation.
• Use a firm, flat sleep surface – Babies should sleep in a crib, bassinet, or play yard with a tight-fitting, firm mattress and a fitted sheet. Avoid using soft mattresses, couches, or adult beds.
• Keep the sleep area clutter-free – Do not place pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, or bumper pads in the crib. Loose bedding can increase the risk of suffocation and entrapment.
• Room-share but do not bed-share – The safest place for a baby to sleep is in the same room as the parents, but in their own separate crib or bassinet. The AAP strongly advises against bed-sharing, as it significantly increases the risk of accidental suffocation.
• Avoid overheating – Dress babies in lightweight sleepwear and keep the room at a comfortable temperature. Overheating has been linked to SIDS.
• Offer a pacifier at naptime and bedtime – Using a pacifier while sleeping may help reduce the risk of SIDS. If breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is well-established before introducing a pacifier.
• Avoid exposure to smoke, alcohol, and drugs – Babies exposed to smoke before and after birth have a higher risk of SIDS. Parents should also avoid alcohol and drug use, which can impair their ability to safely care for an infant.

By following these guidelines, parents and caregivers can help ensure that their babies sleep safely and reduce the risk of SIDS. Every safe sleep decision makes a difference—because safe sleep saves lives.