Safe Sleep and SIDS

You may have previously heard about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the sudden death of a child under one year of age.  

Though medical researchers continue to investigate the causes, one of the best ways to reduce the risk of SIDS is to place your infant on his or her back when sleeping at night or napping. 

To reduce the risk of SIDS, Cone Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages you and your child’s caregivers to follow these recommendations:

• Place infants to sleep on their backs.
• Always use a firm sleep surface – car seats are not recommended for routine sleep.
• Keep the bed free of fluffy bedding, soft toys and pillows.
• Provide a smoke-free environment.
• Ensure your baby is not too warm when sleeping. Do not cover your infant’s head.
• Immunize your baby on schedule.
• Breastfeed your child.