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Updated June 24, Written by Danielle Pacheco. Medically Reviewed by Dr. Nilong Vyas. Frequently Asked Questions. The side sleeping position is considered just as dangerous, and infants are more likely to roll onto their stomachs when resting on their sides. Current guidelines recommend placing infants in the supine back sleeping position until they reach one year.
This includes nightly sleeping and daytime naps. Additionally, preterm infants with low birth weights are considered at higher risk of SIDS. Consistent back sleeping is considered especially important for preterm infants. Sleep environment : Per current guidelines for parents and caregivers , infants should sleep on firm, flat surfaces covered in fitted sheets.
A significant percentage of infants who die from SIDS are found with their heads covered by bedding items.
Parents should also ensure there are not any gaps between the edge of the mattress and the crib; two fingers is considered the standard rule-of-thumb. Bed sharing : While common practice for parents, sharing a bed with an infant is discouraged because adult beds are not optimized for child safety. However, parents are encouraged to share a bedroom with their infant while they sleep in a crib or bassinet.
SIDS can occur suddenly and infants often make little to no noise, so sharing a room allows parents to keep an eye on their little one throughout the night. Parents should consider sharing a bedroom with their baby for at least the first six months, and up to one year if possible.
Tobacco : Nearly every major epidemiologic study involving SIDS has pinpointed smoking as a major risk factor. This includes expectant mothers smoking while pregnant; according to some studies, up to one-third of SIDS-related deaths could be prevented if mothers completely avoided smoking throughout their pregnancy. Exposing newborns and infants to cigarette smoke is also potentially dangerous. Alcohol : Consuming alcohol while pregnant can increase the risk of SIDS for infants after they are born, some studies have shown.
This includes alcohol use during the periods immediately prior to and following conception, as well as the first trimester. Feeding : Babies who breastfeed are considered at lower risk for SIDS than those who do not drink breast milk. The risks are also lower for babies who are exclusively breastfed compared to those whose breast milk diet is supplemented with formula or solid food. Mothers should not breastfeed on chairs, sofas, and other upright surfaces where they could potentially fall asleep, as this is a suffocation risk for babies.
Related Reading. Sign up below for your free gift. Your privacy is important to us. Was this article helpful? Yes No. Nilong Vyas Pediatrician MD. Duncan, J. University of Adelaide Press. Department of Health and Human Services. Safe to Sleep. Centers for Disease Control. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Safe to Sleep Campaign. For example:. The above is especially important for babies who were born premature or of low birth weight , as these babies are at a higher risk of SIDS. Take a look at our series of free online presentations for more information on how to reduce the risk of SIDS when caring for your baby. Our support team are here to answer your questions about SIDS or safer sleep for babies.
You can ring our information line on or email info lullabytrust. This is why research into the risk factors and causes of SIDS is needed and why we have been funding cutting-edge research into the causes and risk factors of SIDS since If the cause of SIDS was found, health professionals might be able to identify which babies are most at risk and work with their parents and families to ensure they can reduce the risk factors as much as possible.
If your child has died, or someone close to you is bereaved, we are so sorry and we are here to offer our support. Our confidential support services are here for anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or young child, whether the death was recent or many years ago. You can call our bereavement support helpline on or email support lullabytrust.
Find out more about how we can support you here. What causes SIDS? What age babies are most at risk of SIDS? When does the risk decrease? Babies who die of SIDS are thought to have problems in the way they respond to these stresses and how they regulate their heart rate, breathing and temperature. Although the cause of SIDS is not fully understood, there are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk.
Read more about reducing the risk of SIDS. Babies often have minor illnesses that you do not need to worry about.
Give your baby plenty of fluids to drink and do not let them get too hot. Read more about spotting signs of serious illness in children. If a baby dies suddenly and unexpectedly, there will need to be an investigation into how and why they died.
A post-mortem examination will usually be necessary, which can be very distressing for the family. The police and healthcare professionals work closely to investigate unexpected infant deaths and ensure the family is supported.
They should be able to put you in touch with local sources of help and support. Many people find talking to others who have had similar experiences helps them to cope with their bereavement.
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