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From the American Academy of Pediatrics
- SIDS is still responsible for more infant deaths in the United States than any other cause of death during infancy.
- The condition is rare during the first month of life, peaks between 2 and 4 months old, and then declines.
- Infants who are used to sleeping on their backs are at particularly high risk for SIDS when they are subsequently placed to sleep on their stomachs.
- Black infants have a SIDS rate more than two times the national average, and they are twice as likely to be placed on their stomachs as white infants.
Tips to Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
All parents and all child caregivers need to follow these American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations:
- Infants should be placed to sleep on their backs.
- Infants should not be put to sleep on waterbeds, sofas, soft mattresses, or other soft surfaces.
- Soft materials or objects such as pillows, quilts, comforters, or sheepskins, should not be placed under an infant.
- Soft materials such as pillows or stuffed toys should be kept out of an infant's bed. These can obstruct infants' airways, even if they are lying on their backs.
- A certain amount of "tummy time" is recommended while infants are awake for developmental reasons and to avoid flat spots on their heads. (Flat spots also can be avoided by placing the baby in different directions in the crib-but still on his or her back.)
- Devices designed to maintain sleep position or to reduce the risk of re-breathing are not recommended, as none of these have been sufficiently tested for safety or effectiveness.)
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